Chimes DC Launches New Internship Program to Support High School Students with Developmental Disabilities Seeking Employment
Paid internships to help students who wish to explore the world of work and gain experience in diverse environments, including BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore, MD – Chimes DC, one of the largest providers of employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Maryland, is proud to announce a new employment training internship program for students finishing high school. The program’s goal is to help cultivate a new workforce, as well as support students transitioning from education to employment.
The program is set to launch in June 2022 and Chimes DC will provide interns with vocational skills training on various job sites throughout central Maryland. Students who successfully complete the program will have the opportunity to gain full-time employment upon graduating.
Chimes DC has a legacy of providing high-quality opportunities for people with disabilities who chose to seek employment.
“Over the last 20 years, Chimes DC has demonstrated that individuals with disabilities can be employed successfully in the workforce through the provision of training supports and accommodations that enhance the employer’s general training systems,” said Thomas ‘Jay’ Stewart, Employment Services Senior Manager for Chimes DC. “Without specialized training and support, young people with disabilities seeking to transition from education to the world of work face significant challenges. With this program, Chimes DC is seeking to help pave the way for these young people and grow the workforce at the same time.”
Chimes DC will implement the temporary, part time, 6-month-long paid internship program in collaboration with public school systems for transitioning high school students who are 18 –21 years of age.
“It is imperative that our transitional youth be given opportunities to participate in workplace readiness training, which may ultimately lead into full time employment prior to exiting high school,” said Abbe Restucci, Transition Resource Itinerant for Harford County Public Schools. “These opportunities cultivate their ability to self-advocate and communicate, develop their social/interpersonal skills, and foster their independent living skills. An early start can be life changing for many of them, maximizing their potential for future success and growth.”
Flexible hours will allow interns to work on weekends or just 2-3 days per week. Chimes DC’s unique approach combines learning opportunities and includes customized supported employment services provided in a diverse cross section of work environments.
Several public school districts in central Maryland are planning to offer the internship program for their students. Chimes DC is currently seeking other school districts to partner with in 2022 and beyond. For more information, please contact Mr. Stewart at thomas.stewart@chimes.org 410-371-8349.
About Chimes
Chimes was founded in 1947 as a school for children with moderate intellectual disabilities whose parents rejected the then prevailing wisdom that their children would never achieve meaningful or productive lives. From those modest beginnings, Chimes has grown into one of the nation’s largest providers of services and support for people with barriers to independent living. Today, Chimes Family of Services offers a wide range of programming, including day habilitation, residential, educational, vocational, employment, and behavioral health services for more than 20,000 individuals annually in six Mid-Atlantic States and the District of Columbia. Chimes distinguishes itself from other disability service providers through its unique emphasis on client centered, evidence-based program design.
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