The Arc of San
Diego Announces Grant to Train & Employ People with Disabilities
Kick-Off Celebrates National Disability
Employment Awareness Month
(from left to right): Mark Cafferty, San Diego Workforce Partnership’s president
& chief executive officer, Anne Hoffman, Arc of San Diego’s president & chief
executive officer, Doug Hoehn, Arc of San Diego’s Board Chair, George McKesson,
Arc of San Diego’s MCRD Food Service Program Participant, Assemblywoman Lori
Saldana, Supervisor Greg Cox, and MCRD’s Representative Colonel Kasperski.
Arc of San Diego’s MCRD Food Service Program Participant, George McKesson and
Supervisor Greg Cox
SAN DIEGO, CALIF
– The Arc of San Diego kicked off National Disability
Employment Awareness Month by announcing a $125,000 grant they received from the
San Diego Workforce Partnership to train and employ 50 people with disabilities
at The Arc’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot Food Service program. “The Arc of
San Diego is grateful for the unwavering support from the Marine Corps Recruit
Depot leadership and to the San Diego Workforce Partnership for their help in
our efforts to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in
San Diego County,” stated Anne Hoffman, President & CEO of The Arc of San Diego.
“I have been a longtime supporter of The Arc of San Diego and San Diego
Workforce Partnership,” said Assemblywoman Lori Saldana. “Programs like
this allow people with disabilities to not only work in the community but also
enjoy the excitement of earning a paycheck.”
“The Arc of San Diego is a great organization that provides vital support to
people with disabilities in our community,” Supervisor Greg Cox stated. “This
grant from San Diego Workforce Partnership will make a real impact in the lives
of the participants in the program.”
Supervisor Cox will present Hoffman a proclamation declaring October “National
Disability Employment Awareness Month” at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors
meeting.
George McKesson, who was hired as a result of this grant shared about how he has
benefitted from this program. “When I found The Arc of San Diego my life
changed. Through support from The Arc I received training in food service
skills and general work skills needed to maintain a job. I feel like I am
being a productive member of society and starting to make a difference.”
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an effort to educate the
American public about issues related to disability and employment and how both
public and private employers must seek quality employees from non-traditional
employee pools, including the 54 million Americans who have disabilities.
San Diego Workforce Partnership has been in operation since 1974, creating
workforce solutions for the region’s employers and individuals through public
and private partnerships. Workforce Partnership funds quality programs and
services that promote self-sufficiency and address the current and long-term
needs of the region’s employers. For more information please visit
www.SanDiegoAtWork.com.
The Arc of San Diego is the largest, most comprehensive service provider for
people with disabilities in San Diego County and serves over 2,500 children and
adults with disabilities each year.
