Teri, who has been working at a local restaurant, called her Duman Employment Specialist (ES) to ask for help. She wanted to get more hours at her job, so the ES went to observe Teri at work to help her make improvements.

Youth with disabilities, ages 16-24 living in Cook and Lake Counties who meet eligibility requirements can work with a team of JCFS Chicago employment experts to reach their employment goals.

June celebrates National Immigrant Heritage Month. For more than 100 years, JCFS Chicago’s HIAS Immigration & Citizenship has proudly helped individuals and their families transition from strangers in a new land to proud American citizens.

“I knew I would be able to do the things I wanted to accomplish,” Brandon Bures, a JVS Career & Employment client said. This Spring, he shared his story and represented JCFS Chicago at a Source America Grassroots Advocacy Conference with Marlies Gramann, Associate Vice President of Disability Services. The conference provided advocacy and self-advocacy training for non-profit executives and people with disabilities.

When Elle came to Knapp School & Yeshiva, her teachers described her as shy and withdrawn. She would often arrive late to school and would sleep in class. As a team, the Knapp staff came up with a plan to support Elle to be successful and reach her goals.

Jeff Suskin has been living at an integrated living home through JCFS Chicago’s residential supports for the past five years. In 2019 we caught up with Jeff, who shared his love of collecting classic cars, going on walks to the pond with his twin brother Hart and the deepened confidence he felt since living independently.

In 2012, Samuel was a recent high school graduate with little work experience. Unsure of his next steps, Samuel felt nervous about his future. That’s when his Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) counselor referred Samuel to JVS Career & Employment. 

"My son has greatly benefitted from the work he completed at JCFS Chicago with the stellar IPT team," an IPT parent shares. 

After immigrating to the United States, Fedir and Maxym turned to JVS Career & Employment for assistance. 

Sean Nebel came to JVS Career & Employment with the goal of getting out of his comfort zone. “I had a hard time breaking out of my shell,” he recalled. Eddie Baturin, a JVS senior vocational trainer, who has worked with Sean the past eight years said, "Over the years, you could really see him change his personality. From being the guy that wouldn’t talk or stand up for himself, now he has a strong personality and is independent."