Getting a job can be tough these days, and for people with developmental disabilities, the task can seem impossible.
So, the Washoe County School District teamed up with a group of community organizations to put on the 3rd annual Job Readiness Summer Camp, a summer program that pairs special needs students with local businesses, so they can learn skills that will help them when they join the workforce.
"They do need some job training and some job support," WCSD Student Support Services Coordinator Kelly Wales said, "but it absolutely increases their opportunity for obtaining a job."
We tagged along with students as they learned from employees at Haws Corporation in Sparks how to assemble drinking fountains. The students learned to put them together, test them, clean them, and pack them for shipping.
About 50 students are participating in this year's summer camp, at 11 different area businesses. All the jobs are hands-on, and the students learn to do everything that their employee mentors do.
"It is really great," participating student Cameron Anthony said. "I am learning everything, like how to package a water fountain, how to build it, and test it out and stuff."
"It is a really great experience," student participant Stephen Rodriguez said. "I am enjoying the assembly line and everything. They have really great employees that help us."
Written by Arianna Bennett
