June 18, 2021 | Press Release.pdf

Program will help people with disabilities find jobs in the community

WAYNE, NJ – At a virtual ceremony on June 16, Community Options Enterprises, Inc. was awarded a $100,000 transformational grant from Impact 100 Garden State.

Community Options is a national nonprofit that provides housing and employment to people with disabilities. The Impact 100 grant will support an innovative workforce development program and will be overseen by Dina Casalaspro, Managing Director for Community Options Enterprises. Through the initiative, people with disabilities who want to work will be identified, and employers will be recruited to hire them. The funding will ensure the pandemic does not further exclude people with disabilities from the workforce.

“We’re thrilled that Community Options Enterprises is the recipient of one of our $100,000 grants this year,” says Debby Seme, President of Impact 100 Garden State. “Our connection with our grant recipients is about more than a check. We look forward to a long-term supportive relationship with Community Options Enterprises.”

Impact 100 asks each recipient to create a Wishlist that its members may fulfill. Jobs are at the top of Community Options’ Wishlist. Many of the people supported by Community Options have never held a job and have no professional connections. This partnership will draw on Impact members’ affiliations to broaden employment networks for people who are building their resumes.

“Impact 100 was very competitive, and the membership is the perfect example of stewardship and acumen. The funds will be used to augment employment for persons with disabilities. We are grateful to them for choosing Community Options,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options.

Even pre-pandemic, many people with disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. A recent study showed that only 11% of New Jersey residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities are employed in competitive and integrated work. Community Options fights these inequalities by preparing adults and youth to enter the workforce, placing them in jobs, and supporting them to maintain employment. Each year, thousands of people are placed into jobs by Community Options.

Impact 100 Garden State is a women-led, all volunteer, philanthropic organization that empowers women to provide high impact, transformational grants to local nonprofits that reach under-served populations in Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties. Three nonprofit organizations were selected by over 300 members to receive $100,000 grants.

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About Community Options, Inc.:
For over 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people from over 40 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the #AllItTakes campaign, search #AllItTakes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.