Melwood

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

It is not enough to view entry-level positions as the only goal for people with disabilities. We must reset societal expectations, expand our understanding of inclusion, and recognize what we all miss out on when we allow artificial barriers to limit someone’s career potential.??#DisabilityEmployment #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth

Let’s clear up a common myth: Just because you can’t see a disability, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.?? ? Invisible disabilities (such as chronic pain, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, autism and more) are often misunderstood simply because they can’t be seen. Many people with these conditions face unnecessary barriers. Invisible Disabilities Week is about overcoming those barriers.?? ? Research shows that nearly half (47 percent) of employees with invisible disabilities have not disclosed their condition at work. And workers with invisible disabilities are nearly twice as likely to feel excluded there.? ? At Melwood, we know that people with invisible disabilities have the skills, dedication, and resilience to succeed when given the opportunity and support they deserve. Embrace inclusivity and understand that disabilities come in many forms, visible and invisible. To read more, visit Melwood.org.? #WorkerswithDisabilities #InvisibleDisabilities #DisabilityEmployment