Melwood

For a person with a disability, employment can be difficult to find, and employment conditions might not be accommodating of their disabilities, creating roadblocks to success. That was Sam Appelbaum’s experience until he found the AbilityOne program. After receiving training on both technical and soft skills, Sam gained employment in the mail room at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. This allowed him to pay his bills, maintain a schedule, and provided an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. The AbilityOne program has been a pillar of disability employment policy and Melwood, along with other nonprofits, support this critical program which increases employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For more information about the AbilityOne program, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcT_XAND

Melwood’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program held their annual Thanksgiving meal last night at Apple Grove Elementary in Fort Washington, Md. Get Plated, an Alexandria-based catering company, donated an amazing meal, and C&C MEAT SALES, INC. in Upper Marlboro donated dozens of whole turkeys to give out to families of the YES participants. Designed to engage kids in enriching, hands-on learning, YES introduces life skills and career paths to students at Apple Grove. By focusing on children who have encountered barriers and hardships, YES provides a structured, supportive environment where kids can explore their interests, grow in self-confidence, and learn how to navigate the challenges they face. Teachers still at school were encouraged to fill a takeout box with Thanksgiving food before the festivities began, and an Apple Grove teacher thanked the Melwood volunteers who were helping with the meal. “It’s so nice to be appreciated!” Find out how you can support Melwood: https://lnkd.in/dRMvQ_rS

Community partnerships are at the heart of Melwood's success. We're thrilled to see one of those partners, Covenant House Greater Washington, get the recognition they deserve on DC News Now. Melwood is proud to partner with Covenant House by delivering education services to upskill and support this community, and the incredible work of this important organization! https://lnkd.in/eXCq2BTh

Melwood was founded in 1963 on three key principles: innovation, inclusion, and social good. Today, we are one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in the country, and we continue to have an outsized impact on our community. Check out Melwood’s annual report here: https://lnkd.in/enHf69Cq

Melwood is more than just an employer of Americans with disabilities and provider of services to the federal government. We also offer 23 different programs throughout the community designed to enrich lives and empower people to be their own advocates. One of those programs is Youth Enrichment Services (YES) at Apple Grove Elementary in Fort Washington, Maryland. The initiative, designed to engage kids in enriching, hands-on learning, introduces life skills and career paths to students who might otherwise lack access to them, and does so in a fully inclusive environment. By focusing on children who have encountered barriers and hardships, YES provides a structured, supportive environment where kids can explore their interests, grow in self-confidence, and learn how to navigate the challenges they face. Last week, students enrolled in YES learned about public service and the importance of running for office. To learn more about Melwood’s community programs visit: https://lnkd.in/eMxtKp2x

Mark your calendars! Melwood’s largest community event – our Annual Miracle on 23rd Street, presented by Regency Management Services, LLC – is one month away! Join us on Friday, December 13 to kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, photos with Santa, crafts, live music, refreshments, and more! Register today! https://lnkd.in/edVEET2x

Did you know that every day, Melwood pairs highly talented individuals with good-paying jobs, offering an opportunity for people to gain independence, learn new skills, and be rewarded for their work? Melwood has job openings across a variety of interests, skill levels, education, backgrounds and locations from custodial and landscaping jobs to administrative and skilled trades positions, and more. Learn more about Melwood’s wide range of job opportunities here: https://melwood.org/jobs/

Melwood’s own Brice Alexander, Senior VP of Contract Operations, recently joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to highlight Melwood’s commitment to creating job opportunities for people with disabilities. Brice explained how people with disabilities face unique barriers to employment, but can thrive with the right support—and how that support is often easier and more attainable than many realize. For example, for workers with noise sensitivity, a reasonable accommodation may look like a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. “There’s a lot of different accommodations we can do that are low cost and not burdensome...and are really helpful,” he said. “Don’t ever doubt that people with disabilities can do everything that a nondisabled person can do,” Brice said on the podcast, which you can listen to here: https://lnkd.in/efmKvXMW

With a little extra planning, Halloween can be a fun and positive experience for everyone, rather than a stressful one.?Here are easy steps families, neighborhoods, and entire communities can take to make Halloween safe, accessible, and inclusive for every child.? ?

We’re excited to share that Melwood’s President & CEO, Larysa K., was recently featured in Government Executive magazine discussing the challenges and opportunities for employing people with disabilities in the federal workforce. Larysa’s personal story and insights highlight why simply hiring people with disabilities isn’t enough. We must also create inclusive workplaces that support long-term retention.?Dwight Davis, president of both the Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce and Global Connections to Employment, was also featured in the story. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), this article sheds light on the critical need for proactive inclusion and accommodation efforts in the federal government. Read the full article to learn more about how we can create lasting change! #NDEAM #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth #DisabilityEmployment