December 2018 | Issue 5
In this Issue

  • From the Desk of Karen Lee 
  • Workforce Development and Project SEARCH Update
  • Take a peek at Macena Mason’s blog! 
  • Josh has a new job at 1st Choice!
From The Desk of Karen Lee

Season’s Greetings!
 
I hope this issue of our SEEC newsletter finds everyone enjoying the holiday season. This month we hosted our Family Holiday Party for those SEEC supports and their families on Sunday, December 9th at College Gardens Elementary School in Rockville. Those in attendance enjoyed the food, music and dancing. We hope those of you who were unable to join us are able to attend next year! 

We are excited for the launch of our new and improved website in January 2019. Please visit us at  www.seeconline.org and let us know what you think! We hope you’ll find the information on the site useful and timely. We welcome your input and feedback.  

I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season spent with family and friends.   


Cheers, 
Karen 
Workforce Development and Project SEARCH Update

It’s always busy in the Workforce Development Department, from getting to know job seekers through discovery activities, to expanding our employer and internship network, to making sure the individuals we support at work continue to grow and thrive. As a way of context, let’s share some of the top line numbers across Project Search-MD sites (NIH and Montgomery County government), Project Search-DC (Smithsonian and Hilton Capital Area Region) and Workforce Development (WFD). 
  • $2.5 Million--Total amount of income generated by people supported by SEEC each year through paid work, contract work and small business revenues 
  • 265--Number of interns that have participated in Project Search programs led by SEEC since 2010 across all four sites in MD and DC (with a 90% graduation rate). Our first program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is celebrating our 9th year of operation
  • 75%--Percentage of Project Search graduates who have gained paid employment as a result of the program or with SEEC’s ongoing assistance 

Workforce Development is working collaboratively with Community Employment Network (CEN) Program to forge a new more efficient and effective approach to support more job seekers as they explore customized employment. Customized employment is the key missing piece for job seekers with the most complex disabilities, and SEEC continues to lead this progressive approach to employment supports. In addition, Workforce Development is leveraging a Transforming and Innovating Practices (TIP) grant from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) to bring in a consultant to upgrade our Employer Outreach and Development processes, skills and effectiveness. 
Want a better, more inclusive world?
Invest in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Live, Work and Thrive!
 
Gifts to SEEC are essential for helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities Live Work and Thrive. From living in a home of one’s choosing, to working a meaningful job earning a good salary, the people SEEC supports are making their own decisions and thriving. Please contribute today to help us reach our end of year goal and to help the people we support lead full lives. Thank you!

Take a peek at Macena Mason’s blog!  

 Macena Mason, who is supported by SEEC’s Workforce Development team, has channeled her love of writing into a blog!  She posts monthly about topics ranging from how to find the right school program to fit your needs, to how to find affordable housing, and even how to overcome anxiety. Please check out her blog and provide feedback in the comments section!  
Josh has a new job at 1st Choice!

Congratulations to Josh on his new job at 1st Choice! We are excited for both him and Michelle Smith, 1st Choice CEO and SEEC Board Member, on the partnership. A big thank you to our Workforce Development Team in helping to make that connection. Josh is a graduate of Project Search.  
SEEC | Live. Work. Thrive.