SPRING HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR

JVS GOODWILL CAREER CENTER SERVING PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HAVE A HEARING LOSS

 

The JVS-Goodwill Career Center, which serves individuals in eight northern New Jersey counties who are deaf or have a hearing loss, officially opened its doors on September 10^th.  One of three regional centers funded by the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NJDVRS), a state-of-the-art facility has been established at Goodwill's Harrison location, with a team of mobile professionals delivering additional services to clients in their own communities.  Services include vocational assessment and counseling; employment readiness; specialized job placement; technology assessment and training; and information and referral.  Additional services provided by the NJDVRS according to need and eligibility include vocational skills training; purchase of assistive technology items; work adjustment training; job coaching; and follow-along services.  To obtain further information about this new program contact Mindi Weiner, mweiner@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 ext. 300 or 973-674-4570 (TTY).

SUCCESS STORY

 

Devorah is a 2007 Montclair High School graduate.  After graduating, she thought the next step for everyone, including herself, was college.  She attended Raritan Valley Community College and Essex County Community College before withdrawing last spring.  Feeling it might not be the best time for Devorah to go to college, and hoping to help her find structure and focus, her mother contacted New Jersey's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NJDVRS) for assistance in identifying resources that might help Devorah receive evaluation and training, and make a successful transition to employment.

After meeting with a counselor at NJDVRS, Devorah was referred to JVS for evaluation and services.  Devorah took a tour of the JVS facility in East Orange and immediately felt at home.  An evaluation was conducted to determine what type of program might be most beneficial for her. The evaluation revealed that Devorah was a good candidate for a computer applications class.   Devorah completed the 18-week training program at JVS, where she learned the Microsoft Office Suite of applications, as well as business English, resume writing, and interviewing techniques. Within two months of graduation, Devorah was referred to a job by JVS, where she recently began her new career as an administrative assistant.

Devorah credits the staff at JVS for her success. "The computer application class at JVS was more helpful than other computer classes that I have taken in helping me prepare for the working world," Devorah says.  She credits Janet Korsgaard, her JVS computer and business English instructor, with teaching her solid business application skills.  She also credits JVS job developer, Ellen Blake, and JVS vocational counselor, Rhoda Yankowitz, with providing keen insight and guidance to help her develop her resume writing skills and learn interviewing techniques.

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