Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information about our career services please contact:

Kim Spahn
Asst. Executive Director
phone
(914) 428-8330, ext.3107
fax
(914) 428-0322
kspahn
@westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
(914) 949-8200

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Classes Ready Teens for Working World

The class learns effective interview techniques.


Westchester Arc’s S.T.A.R. (Students in Transition Accessing Resources) program recently sponsored free job readiness classes for 12 teenagers with developmental disabilities. The classes, conducted July 9-August 13 at the agency’s 121 Westmoreland offices in White Plains, equipped high schoolers and recent grads with some of the tools needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Students learned how to:

  • write resumes and complete job applications

  • identify job opportunities through local newspapers,
    Monster.com and other Internet job sites

  • prepare for interviews

  • effectively communicate with co-workers

  • meet employer expectations

Besides teaching essential job skills, classes helped teens build confidence and self-esteem. During a recent session, students discussed “positive language.”


“Today, we are going to talk about skills you can use on the job and in everyday life,” began the instructor. “When you guys hear or think something negative about yourselves, it’s your responsibility to turn that into a positive.”


“Because people only put you down when they are jealous or afraid,” contributed one student.

Students are eager to participate in class discussions.

“No one is going to hire us if we have a negative attitude. And we all want jobs!” answered another.


Later, the class discussed the often daunting interview process. “Make good eye contact, sit up straight, listen carefully and think about each question before answering,” job aspirants were told. “Most importantly, be calm and be yourself.”


S.T.A.R. partners with local high schools to help students, 16 and over, prepare for the working world. In addition to job readiness classes, S.T.A.R. provides person-centered planning, internship development
and onsite job coaching.