SEEC

Yesterday The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, visited SEEC and the home of someone we support to see first-hand how community supports enable people with significant disabilities to live in their own homes. She also heard from leading government officials that it is possible to build systems and infrastructure that foster inclusion.
SEEC is proud to partner with and the in sharing our innovative practices. A special thank you to The First Lady and the Ukranian delegation for their time and interest! Maryland Department of Disabilities

We are one step closer to recognizing the Direct Support Workforce as a profession with today's passing vote on the Recognition of DSPs Act in the House Education and Workforce Committee! Thank you to Katrina Emmerson Kugel and Zakia Alexander for representing SEEC at the Capitol today! Pictured with ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources , ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill and Advocacy Manager Noah Block and Congresswoman Houchin R-IN. Thank you to Rep. Jamie Raskin and Senator Van Hollen for your support!

The latest edition of our newsletter is here! Dive into the stories, updates, and highlights from our community. Don’t miss out – read it now and stay connected! https://www.seeconline.org/newsletter/

Teleforce was so impressed with Sophie's job performance during her internship with Project SEARCH Montgomery County Government that they created a new position for her to begin after graduation. Now, Sophie sets up computer imaging for Montgomery County Government with the same supervisor from her internship. Sophie loves learning about computers and enjoys being part of a team. The demand and thrill of the fast-paced work makes her time outside of the office even more enjoyable. She loves spending her free time with friends, enjoying outdoor activities, and traveling with her family.

Congratulations Joanna!

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July, offering a chance to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and challenges of the disability community. Why July? It commemorates the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of legislation that dismantled barriers to inclusion in society.

Within the flag, each color stripe has a meaning: Red - physical disabilities. Gold - neurodiversity. White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed. Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression.

Congratulations to the 2024 Class of Project SEARCH graduates! Our host sites, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Montgomery County Government, and Embassy Suites by Hilton, along with our partner Ivymount School and Outreach Programs, held wonderful celebrations to culminate this year-long program. A special thank you to our funding partners: Maryland Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), DC Department on Disability Services DC Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Maryland DORS. Your support makes these achievements possible! To learn more about Project SEARCH visit seeconline.org/project-search/

We are proud that many of the people we support are on their paths to fulfilling and meaningful lives. See an example of how we're getting it done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6cSrrrR5S8

Autistic Pride Day is celebrated on June 18th and is dedicated to individuals with ASD to be proud and celebrate who they are.

Watch how we are empowering people to live without limits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2fwv9PYAEE

Mark your calendars!

SEEC hosted the first of a three-part self-advocacy training in partnership with People On The Go of Maryland. The interactive session focused on developing advocacy skills and understanding one's rights. The training covers knowing yourself, effective communication, problem-solving, rights and responsibilities, and starting a self-advocacy group. Interested in attending a future session? Let us know! Thank you to our partners and everyone who attended!

Katie Smeltz and Pam Toole from SEEC's Employer Outreach Team recently presented at the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce lunch. Attendees learned the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and how SEEC helps businesses meet their needs with untapped talent. Willow Newman, a Customized Employment Consultant at SEEC, shared her approach to discovering individuals' interests and skills. Charlie, whom Willow supports, spoke about his employment journey and goals. Thank you to the Rockville Chamber for hosting SEEC and supporting our mission!

To learn more about becoming an employer visit: https://www.seeconline.org/employer/

With friends like Servpro of Rockville-Olney & Silver Spring North who needs marketing. Love the mention and shout out of Charlie and the amazing outreach team who are ready to listen to your staffing needs and address them cooperatively with you.

Meet Charlie, one of the most inspiring persons we’ve met…

Charlie is a jobseeker who has mastered independence and succeeded in several competitive wage jobs. Charlie is also a jobseeker of SEEC – a nonprofit agency that supports people with disabilities to live, work and thrive in their community, while also helps local businesses and companies to understand and fulfil their operational & staffing needs.

Charlie has a great memory. He knows all the bus schedules and locations he needs to travel to. He gets himself to job sites and other destinations on his own. He’s interned at NIH and will be starting an internship with a local CVS, while working part-time at a bakery/ ice cream shop. His next goal: finding a higher-paying job so he can earn more money to save! He’s a huge fan of theater, musicals and many other things, and has a great sense of humor that makes his storytelling compelling and inspiring.

Local business owners and companies that may need staffing help, check out SEEC – Seeking Employment, Equality and Community for People with Developmental Disabilities – at 240-705-2705; or contact The SEEC Employer Outreach Team, Pamela Toole at [email protected]. Virtual positions are welcome, as SEEC clients are able to perform work remotely.

Thank you for being a part of our community! Together, we stand at the forefront of a movement that is revolutionizing society's perception of individuals with disabilities.

We are hiring! Our incredible and dedicated staff are the heart of our services for people with IDD. Join us for our next recruitment event this Wednesday, June 12th, and be a part of our amazing team!

Journey with us this summer as we highlight our 2023 Impact Report and celebrate how we are breaking barriers and creating limitless opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Congratulations to SEEC's own Steve Blanks, Director of Partnerships for graduating from Leadership Montgomery's CORE Program and Ethan Litvin, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator, for graduating from Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders Program. Leadership Montgomery connects and prepares leaders to build thriving and inclusive workplaces and communities.

Change Makers Wanted: Join Us at SEEC!
"At SEEC, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and thrive is more than just a job description. It is a calling for our staff, eager to directly connect with the community, assisting the people we support in accessing resources and fostering belonging. Every interaction provides insights into the cultural, social, and economic dynamics influencing our work. These grounded perspectives enhance our ability to implement relevant, transformative services."

Read our latest publication at seeconline.org/newsletter/ and be sure to sign up for automatic delivery to your inbox each month.

As Small Business Month wraps up, we'd like to highlight Ultimate Garage! At SEEC, we work one-on-one with the people we support to discover their passions and explore industry-specific roles they might not have considered. Flemings Ultimate Garage, with its niche focus on classic shiny cars, is a perfect fit for those interested in the auto industry.

We are grateful for our employment partnership with Tony Fleming and appreciate his willingness to be an ambassador for SEEC with other auto companies where employees can learn skills like tire changing and auto detailing. According to Tony, "SEEC brought us a perfect fit, helped with the paperwork and onboarding, and made it very easy to move forward. I would highly recommend SEEC for the vetting process!"

Thank you, Tony and Flemings Ultimate Garage for being an inclusive employer.

It's National Small Business Month! Today we're shining a spotlight on our valued employer partner, Benjamin Office Supply & Services, Inc.! Thank you for teaming up with us to create opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to live, work, and thrive! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzqEDv8tjLQ

Find out information about becoming an employer visit seeconline.org/employer/

Marco makes timely deliveries across various locations in Montgomery County. His dedication and efficiency ensures that customers receive their orders right on time. Congratulations to Marco who's making a difference in service delivery.

This week, SEEC celebrated our volunteers at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. We honored four outstanding volunteers who've made a direct impact by providing coaching, companionship, and community building. Thank you for all you do!
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with SEEC visit seeconline.org/volunteer/

SEEC partners like Stacey Butler (SEEC Business Advisory Council member) and Erika Bailey from CVS Health recently led a workshop for job seekers we support. They shared insights about working at CVS, which offers training and internships for people with disabilities. Thanks, Stacey and Erika, for your dedication to inclusive hiring!