Work

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Work


Vocational and Day Supports

Wildwood believes that each person should have the opportunity to work and/or participate in meaningful ways within their communities.  To support people in building the lives they want, Wildwood maintains a Vocational Continuum of services which allow each person to build skills and receivesupports that are responsive to their specific needs and goals. 
 

 

Day Supports

The goal of Day Supports at Wildwood provide an environment in which people can be involved in meaningful activities that allow them to grow and learn, pursue personal goals and interests, gain greater independence and make a contribution to their community.  Individuals participate in a variety of group activities designed to address their personal goals.  

 

Day Services: Site-based Supports

Broad choices of activities are offered Monday through Friday and include community service, arts, recreation, culinary, and vocational skill-building.  Programs are deeply embedded in the community allowing individuals  to build relationships and form bonds.Staff provide transportation from people’s homes at the beginning of the day and back again at day’s end.

 

Day Services: Without Walls

Wildwood Without Walls (The Wow Program) provides support for individuals by spending their entire day in the community.   Throughout the day, individuals participate in broad choices of activities including community service, arts, recreation, culinary, and vocational skill-building. Staff provide transportation from people’s homes at the beginning of the day and back again at day’s end. 

 

Locations

Site-based programs are in Colonie, East Greenbush and Halfmoon. WoW programming takes place throughout Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties.

 
For information about Wildwood’s Day Services, contact Matt Whelan, Director of Day Services Mwhelan@wildwoodprograms.org or 518.640.3312.
 


Wildwood Transportation

Wildwood Transportation
Wildwood’s Transportation Department provides transportation from a person’s home to their site-based Day Program, and back again.

For questions about Wildwood Transportation, contact Les Arras, Transportation Services Manager larras@wildwoodprograms.org or 518.608.6102 


Pre-vocational Services

Pre-Vocational Supports provides those who are interested in working opportunities to build skills that will allow them to attain paid employment that is integrated in the community.  Wildwood’s network of committed business partners provides opportunities for real-world learning. 
 

Pre-vocational Services: Work Readiness Initiative

This program offers an interactive curriculum that is designed to help participants grow the skills needed for any job.  The curriculum covers 52 topics that reinforce workplace expectations, development of universal soft skills, and knowledge needed for specific careers. In addition, WRI offers a series of increasingly personalized opportunities, including workplace tours, job try-outs and internships that allow individuals to experience a variety of vocational settings so they can make more informed choices about their career path.
 
Similar to other types of educational settings, the Work Readiness Initiative has defined start and end dates (every January and July), so that a group of individuals can start at the same time and learn together.  The fundamental goal of WRI is to develop qualified candidates who will be ready to transition into paid employment in their field of choice.
 

Eligibility

Approval from Office of People With Developmental Disabilities Community Pre-vocational Services

Programming

The program runs from January to July. 

 

Employment Services

 

The goal of employment services is to support people as they search for  and attain employment through things like resume writing, interview preparation, application assistance and onsite coaching. Through community-based work assessments, training and internships, employment services help people get ready for and find competitive employment. Employment Services depends on strong partnerships with the business community and it helps employers to understand the value of hiring people with disabilities and  realize the full benefit of inclusive employment.  

For businesses interested in more information please visit:  business.wildwoodprograms.org

Eligibility 

Employment Service may be available to anyone who is of working age and has been diagnosed with a disability. Wildwood receives referrals from  Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and the Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities  (OPWDD.) 

 

Location

Throughout the Capital District

For questions about Wildwood's OPWDD Employment Programs, contact Paula Martelle, Director of Employment Services, pmartelle@wildwoodprograms.org or 518.640.3339.  For questions about Wildwood's ACCES-VR Services, contact Jennifer DeCosmo, Associate Director of Employment Services, jdecosmo@wildwoodprograms.org or 518.640.3434.

 

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