The Easterseals NH Workforce Development program has received a $15,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to provide high-impact job readiness training and employment for low-income people with disabilities or special needs. The program helps individuals secure part- or full-time employment to promote their independence and financial well-being. Last year, Easterseals Workforce Development served nearly 400 adults and youth throughout New Hampshire.
“We are very thankful for ongoing support from the Wells Fargo Foundation and for joining us for the past two years in the important work of helping people with disabilities or special needs secure employment,” said Easterseals President and CEO Larry Gammon. “Our priority is to help individuals facing significant barriers to gain skills and work towards employment for a better quality of life. We very much appreciate Wells Fargo for partnering with us for this worthy cause.”
Easterseals NH’s Workforce Development program provides life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities or special needs, providing them not only with a source of income but the dignity that employment offers as a contributing member of society. One of those individuals is Tristan Aho of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Aho came to ESNH’s Residential & Educational Services as an angry teen who was prone to verbal outbursts and was challenged by a variety of disabilities, according to the organization. While in this program, Aho moved forward with his education and also progressed through different residential options that increased his independence.
As Aho became more independent, he connected with ESNH’s Youth Transitional Services, a division of Workforce Development, which provides individualized community-based programming for students. Aho worked with Youth Support Specialist Angela Adorno, who helped him identify and pursue his passions in life. Through this, Tristan discovered how his love of the guitar could relate to employment, all according to the organization.
Adorno helped Aho secure a volunteer position at the Manchester Community Music School, where he works in their instrument library refurbishing donated guitars and taking care of the guitars they use for music therapy. With the skills he developed though this volunteer position, Aho started his own guitar repair business (TristanGuitars.com). He also began working as a paid employee at Manchester Community Music School assisting with cleaning.
“I knew Tristan needed a straight path to follow in his life after taking so many detours,” said Adorno. “So, we put steps in place to find volunteer positions that involved music. They love him at the music school and he has quickly become part of the team.”
“As a volunteer, I feel like I’m doing something for the community and not for myself,” said Aho, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday. “I like the independence and feel like more of an adult. When I work hard, I don’t worry about my disabilities. It helps a lot to think about other things.”
Aho has come a long way since first coming to Easterseals. Through Workforce Development’s Youth Transitional Services program, this smiling young man with a great sense of humor also learned to cook, enjoys going to the gym, and focuses on finding another part-time job that will allow him to become even more self-sufficient, the organization said in a news release.
“Before Easterseals, I felt like I was running in the same spot and was never able to reach my goals,” said Aho. “Now everything is falling into place and I’m rocketing forward.”
The success of Workforce Development and clients like Aho is due, in part, through the generosity of the Wells Fargo Foundation.
“Across our community, many residents are working hard to make ends meet. Here in Manchester, we want to help support the needs of our neighbors and ensure young adults like Tristan have access to meaningful employment opportunities,” said Paul Forester, senior vice president, Middle Market Banking, Wells Fargo, Northern New England and Easterseals NH board member. “Easterseals provides critical community programs that help to revitalize and strengthen our communities and make a positive lasting impact throughout the state.”
For more information about Easterseals NH services, please visit easterseals.com/nh.
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