Meet Josephine, a young job seeker who recently enrolled in Easterseals Washington’s Workforce Development Program. Josephine is an outgoing and intelligent individual who has great organizational skills. In her free time, she enjoys watching television, streaming YouTube videos, and songwriting.
Josephine was born with Cerebral Palsy, a disability that affects her mobility. She uses crutches and a manual wheelchair in her daily life. Although she has been employed in the past, she has faced significant barriers in the job market.
Easterseals Washington views meaningful employment as the cornerstone of self-reliance and independence for individuals with disabilities. Through tailored employment support—such as job coaching and transportation—we focus on highlighting skills, not disabilities, to elevate employability. By partnering with both employers and employees, we break down workplace barriers and provide our participants with the tools they need not only to secure and sustain employment, but to advance in their careers.
While searching for inclusive job opportunities, Josephine turned to Easterseals Washington for support. “Easterseals is a trusted organization, and I love that it provides services for individuals with disabilities to find employment,” she said. Throughout her journey with Easterseals Washington, Josephine was paired with an expert employment consultant, receiving tailored support that included one-on-one interview coaching, resume-building workshops, and personalized guidance. The guidance she received was instrumental in building the confidence and skills she needed to navigate her job search.
Josephine, alongside her employment consultant, had the opportunity to participate in Easterseals Washington’s collaborative event with Comcast NBCUniversal for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This was a defining experience for Josephine, as she engaged in mock interviews with industry professionals. The insights she gained helped her refine her interview techniques and perfect her resume, empowering her to counter what she felt had been discrimination in the past.
Thanks to the comprehensive mock interviews and personalized one-on-one coaching, Josephine overcame significant barriers and secured a new job. She recently began her role as a cashier at Target and is thrilled to embark on this opportunity!
We are proud to have played such a transformative role in Josephine's journey as she takes this exciting next step in her career. Her story is just one of many that illustrates the powerful impact our programs have on individuals every day. By getting involved as a volunteer or donor, you can help create more success stories like Josephine's and make a lasting difference in the lives of people with disabilities in Washington State.
