Community Integrated Services, Philadelphia, PA Videos

The Business Inclusion Center - Spotlight on Cintas Partnership
Success for job-seekers with disabilities in fully integrated employment settings is not just possible, it's the norm. Nowhere is that better exemplified than at Cintas Corporation's Northeast Philadelphia facility. The job placements we've made there—and the supportive, empowering work environment that Cintas fosters—are a great illustration of what can happen when employees with disabilities are given the same opportunities as everybody else. Check out this video featuring Peter and Giovanni. Both earn living wages and work 40 hours per week. Both have a disability. Both have been great assets to the business. Both have formed great friendships with co-workers and are a seamless part of the Cintas team, where—just like everyone else—they're valued for their contributions as employees, not set apart by the fact that they have a disability. This is the kind of equitable, fully integrated employment that all job-seekers with disabilities deserve. We are so proud of Peter and Giovanni, and proud to partner with Cintas, who truly walks the walk when it comes to access and equity for people with disabilities. Many thanks to our partner in the Business Inclusion Center-- Autism Life Course Outcomes Research at AJ Drexel Autism Institute--and to TML Communications for their excellent work in putting together this video. For more CIS stories this National Disability Employment Awareness Month, head to CISworks.org/blog.

*Sound on* for video : ) As we get into the full swing of #NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month), our participants are being honored not only in their jobs, but in the community too! Check out Chaz, who has become a meaningful staple of his community through his involvement and volunteering. We had the chance to interview Chaz with his job coach, Jackie, as he told us about an award he recently received. “I do a lot of work in the 35th district. I help with Unity Day and help with the Halloween Day event. This year they wanted to recognize me – so they gave me the Hero Award.” Chaz was honored at the 35th District’s 5th annual “Heroes of the Community” award ceremony held at Enon Tabernacle Church. He was presented with a plaque and a certificate from the Pennsylvania State Senate recognizing him for his “dedication and excellence” in contributing to the well-being of his community. He has been helping plan and volunteer at the 35th District’s Halloween and Heroes events since 2010, making him the perfect candidate to receive a Hero Award. In addition to his work in the 35th District, Chaz volunteers and serves on the chair on over five, yes FIVE, other community boards and organizations! “Chaz is the man! You did this—this was all you!” said, his job coach Jackie as she snapped a quick photo with Chaz as he held up one of his many accolades. For his Hero Award given by the 35th district, he mentioned feeling humbled by the honor. He received a plaque and a citation to celebrate all his hard work (and was excited that he did not have to make a speech—something we all may relate to). Did we mention that Chaz also works as an Ambassador for the Philadelphia Eagles? Talk about a jack of all trades! We are beyond proud of him, even more so when he called to let us know that Brandon Graham, a defensive end for the Eagles, gave him an autographed jersey and a letter thanking him for his work as an Eagles Ambassador.

Football’s back, the Phillies are heading to the playoffs, Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a season of abundance, and the same holds true at CIS, where 46 participants started new jobs over the past month across Pennsylvania and Delaware! Ira was hired as Game Day Staff by the Philadelphia Eagles; Stacy was hired at a Home Care campus, where she brings gentleness and compassion to her work; and Lianne started work in a great Administrative position at the Philadelphia School District! All around the region, CIS participants are getting hired in a wide range of jobs! September’s huge job numbers are especially meaningful because October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM). This year’s theme is about advancing access and equity in the workplace for people with disabilities, and that’s a core component to the work we do at CIS. When people with disabilities are given employment opportunities, they’re more visible within in our society, and in a diversity of jobs and roles. Not only does that give younger people with disabilities more aspirational models for their future, but it also helps broaden society’s understanding of what people with disabilities are capable of achieving. Give it up for all our participants who started new jobs in September, and keep an eye on our page for more stories as we celebrate NDEAM all month long. [reel shows a series of photos of CIS participants at work at their jobs around the region, with accompanying text thanking CIS’s business development team and employment support team for their work. An upbeat instrumental song plays in the background]

We had a blast last week at an important annual event—the 2023 Points of Transformation Awards hosted by Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. This year’s event was particularly meaningful because our own Juma Sellers was awarded the 2023 Employment First Award of Excellence for his outstanding support of people with disabilities in the workplace. In the presentation accompanying his award, he was lauded for his holistic support of CIS participants, and the incredible job he does to make them feel empowered and supported. Through his work, he’s helped countless participants see greater possibilities for their lives. Congrats to Juma, and our deep thanks to direct support professionals across our region who have devoted their careers to helping support people with intellectual disabilities or autism. [video shows a panorama of the ballroom where the 2023 Points of Transformation Awards were held, followed by a video clip of the SPIN, Inc. choir singing, followed by a picture of Juma on stage receiving his award. For more on how CIS works for people with disabilities head to cisworks.org]

CIS will be at Saint Joseph's University tomorrow for the Hawk Hill Career Fair! Stop by our booth (look for the green and white CIS banner) and learn about the different careers available at CIS. If you're someone who wants to make a positive impact in the world with a great local nonprofit, CIS could be the right place for you. Learn more at cisworks.org, and we hope to see you at the fair!

Jackie's Welcome to CIS Info Session with PACareerLink
CIS is hiring, and we'll be holding a virtual information session with PA CareerLink Philadelphia on Wednesday, May 25th (flyer included in our reply!). Check out this helpful welcome video from long-time CIS employee Jackie, and then head to https://bit.ly/3soWLWU to sign up for the session, where you'll learn more about our open positions. Be sure to follow the instructions in the flyer and get your resume uploaded at pacareerlink.pa.gov--we can't wait to meet you!

CIS at the CCP Spring Career Fair
Calling all Community College of Philadelphia students! CIS will be at tomorrow's Spring Career Fair, at 12pm in Bonnell Hall. If you're looking for a great nonprofit job that makes a positive impact in the community, CIS could be a great fit for you. CIS employees help people with disabilities find meaningful jobs, and support them at work to help them succeed. We're hiring for a range of positions from $17-$20/hour--head to cisworks.org to learn more, and stop by our booth tomorrow and say hello!

Wind down your week with this awesome video from the Fox program “Kelly Drives,” which featured Game on State as part of last night’s show. The arcade and candy store in Media, PA is not only designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities, but committed to employing them as well. Keep an eye out for a cameo from Dante, a CIS participant who works at the store and stole the show with his quip at the end of the clip. Have a great weekend everybody—check out the video, and maybe even stop into Game on State for some classic arcade games and a bag full of sweet treats!

Attention Temple students and alum! CIS is hiring, and we're going to be a part of Temple University's Spring Career Fair, coming up next Tuesday, March 29th! CIS employees help people with disabilities find meaningful employment, and support them at work to help them thrive. If you're a Temple student, sign up for the fair today at https://temple.joinhandshake.com/login, and you’ll meet virtually with CIS HR representative Shaina Scott on the day of the fair. We have a range of full-time and part-time positions available. If you're looking for a good job with a local nonprofit that makes a positive difference in the world, CIS could be right for you!