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Grant Boosts Workers Program For Hearing Impaired
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Published: July 5, 2008
A $1,000 grant from Sam's Club in New Port Richey has given a boost to the Young Workers Program, a Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida program that helps young people with hearing impairments find and maintain quality jobs.
For two years, the Young Workers Program has placed 11 people, ages 16 through 21, in long-term employment.
"And of all the people we've placed so far, they're all still employed," said Debra Golinski, program coordinator at Sertoma.
Additional program participants have found volunteer work, giving them the opportunity to learn job skills and help the community.
"My students do a great job," Golinski said. "They appreciate opportunities more and work harder than the average person. They're very dedicated."
Golinski came up with the Young Workers Program as an extension of Sertoma's services for those with hearing disabilities.
"We seek to do more for our community's hearing-impaired population," she said.
Program participants learn how to write resumes, give successful job interviews and set goals.
"Sometimes it's a struggle for people with disabilities to get hired," Golinski said. "They haven't had the same opportunities. But when they're given a chance and taste success, they want another taste."
To help enhance their chances, the Young Workers Program is individualized to meet the needs of each candidate.
"Debra provides transportation to job interviews," said Craig McCart, executive director of Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida. "Some of them need new hearing aids or hearing aid repairs, which we can provide. One student needed a vibrating alarm clock to wake up in time to get ready for work. We can provide products and services to them."
As an extension of the Young Workers Program, Golinski seeks to build productive relationships with local businesses.
"We want to educate employers about the benefits of hiring hearing-impaired people," she said.
She cited a Young Workers Program participant who works at McDonald's and who can communicate with hearing-impaired customers through sign language.
Golinski has also joined the efforts of Career Central's Sharon Willman to coordinate a presentation about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. In January, they made their presentation to representatives of Sam's Club at 4330 U.S. 19 N., New Port Richey.
After hearing this presentation, store officials, led by manager James Fargo, presented Sertoma with a $1,000 grant for the program.
"We give quite a bit back to the community and educate our employees about diversity," said Bud Houghton, marketing manager of the New Port Richey Sam's Club. "We gave Sertoma the grant because they help hearing-impaired kids enter into the community and lead normal lives," he said.
"This grant will buy a lot of materials for our program, and provide transportation for the students. It can help pay bus fares for those who need to get to work," Golinski said.
She said she greatly appreciates the donation and what it means for the program.
"Sam's has given a real boost to this program, which gives these kids a chance to move forward, to see a positive outcome in their lives," Golinski said. "It feels good to help these kids, and to help the community."
YOUNG WORKERS PROGRAM
SOME BACKGROUND: Craig McCart, executive director of the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida, recently was presented with a $1,000 grant by James Fargo, general manager of Sam's Club in New Port Richey.
The check was given to Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation to benefit its Young Workers Program.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: This program, according to a statement, "focuses on hard-of-hearing students 16 through 21 who are making the transition from high school to the work place or secondary education. There are many challenges for people with disabilities to experience successful employment. The program has been successful in seeing many students fulfill their dreams for a bright and productive future."
A LITTLE HISTORY: Debra Golinski started this program two years ago at Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida.
GET INVOLVED: For information, call Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation at (727) 834-5479.
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