This week, WCPO aired a story featuring a Deer Park student. McKenzie Stratton was featured in the story discussing how the Pathways program through the Hamilton County Educational Service Center helps young adults gain skills related to independent living, employment and reaching their goals for the future. Click the image above or the link below to see the full story!
How Pathways to Employment helps young adults with disabilities
WCPO Channel 9
By Paola Suro
January 28, 2020
CINCINNATI — Twenty-year-old Celina Fondenberger is learning things she hadn’t learned in school.
Fondenberger lives on her own, so money-management classes at Pathways to Employment have been imperative.
The program, run by Hamilton County Educational Service Center, helps 18- to 22-year-olds with disabilities become more independent.
Joan Lawrence, coordinator of intervention and support services, said Pathways to Employment helps people with skills such as cooking, shopping and budgeting.
The program also provides each student with an individualized education plan that helps them hone in on specific skills that translate to the workplace.
“To see our students out in the community in job sites, to see our graduates working, it just gives you such a sense of fulfillment,” Lawrence said.
Fondenberger said the program has helped her get a job.
“Right now I’m working at McAlister’s,” she said. “They hired me. It’s actually really fun being there.”
Pathways to Employment is holding an open house on Thursday (today). Click here for more information.