Enable America 2013 Accomplishments Set the Stage for Greater Success in 2014

Tampa, FL, December 18, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Enable America, the nation’s first non-profit organization solely committed to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, is wrapping up another successful year. New partners and greater achievement set the stage for even more accomplishment in 2014.

“2013 saw the greatest demand yet for our unique Career Mentoring Days and Job Skills Workshops, programs which have been proven to create employment opportunities,” said Richard Salem, Enable America’s chairman and founder. “Through the combination of new corporate partners and added foundation support, we’ve been able to grow these programs this year. The challenge now is to keep that support moving forward to meet the increasing need, especially among our returning military service members.”

Endorsement From Those We Serve
At the conclusion of each Enable America program, participants are surveyed to measure success, and learn how the program can be further improved. Feedback in 2013 was overwhelmingly supportive, with comments including:

“It was awesome and I learned a lot.”
“The workshop taught me where and how to fix the mistakes in my interviews.”
“Information was very informative and well presented.”

Program participants were also asked if they agree with this statement: "I believe the information from today’s workshop will assist me in my job search." 88% of respondents strongly agree, 12% agree.

Disabled army veteran Johnathan Williams, now working in financial services, was a volunteer for Enable America this year. He describes the value as critical.

“This is all about connections, and Enable America’s ability to literally put the vet hand in hand with an employer who can hire them,” Johnathan says. “Enable America is absolutely essential, no one else is doing it, and it’s a huge need."

Corporate Support Grows:

Among the year’s highlights is a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, which is being used to fund four Enable America VetConnect Workshops for military members in Ft. Bragg’s Wounded Transition Battalion.

“Military veterans have incredible skills to offer North Carolina’s workforce,” said Paul Newton, Duke Energy’s state president – North Carolina. “After the tremendous service these men and women provided, we’re proud to connect them with resources for successful employment beyond their military careers.”

Enable America was also the recipient of a Community Service Award from Northwestern Mutual, which made possible a Job Skills Workshop for members of the North Carolina National Guard.

Enable America also gives thanks to its corporate supporters for their financial support. In addition to Duke Energy and Northwestern Mutual, they include Eaton Corporation, Lenovo, VASTEC, and Diversified Information Technology. Additional companies that participated in Enable America events this year include Rex Healthcare, The Carolina Hurricanes, Olive Garden Restaurants, SAS, Capitol Broadcasting Companies, WakeMed, LabCorp, Lowes Companies, Parata Systems, Orion International, TWCNC, CareerPro, Verizon Wireless, Stantec, UPS and GSK.

Increased Support for Employers

2013 saw the introduction of the Enable America online Jobs Board, continually updated with career opportunities on the organization’s website, EnableAmerica.org.

“The HR managers we work with are proactive in their outreach to the disability population, and our followers welcome this new service,” said Sandy Moonert, Enable America’s Program Director. “Through the EnableAmerica.org jobs board, we can increase visibility to job opportunities from companies committed to hiring people with disabilities.”

The Enable America jobs board is an exclusive service to the organization’s corporate sponsors.

National Recognition of Enable America

In September Enable America’s work with disabled veterans and wounded warriors was profiled in a national broadcast on the Pentagon Channel, on the program Hiring America.

“Enable America is serving an important need connecting disabled veterans to employers," said Bill Deutch, Hiring America's Executive Producer. "Providing this connection is critical to those who have served. We look forward to continuing to work with Enable America, so our viewers and employers can learn of the valuable programs they run."

Valued Community Partners

Building relationships with corporate employers is just part of the Enable America mission. The organization’s success would not be possible without partnership with our dedicated military and community teammates. They include Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Ft. Bragg’s Wounded Transition Battalion, DHHS Division of Services for the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation, Wake Tech Community College, and My Computer Career.

The Road Ahead:

2014 brings new opportunity, and new challenges.

“With our success the demand for these programs is growing,” Salem says. “Ongoing support from companies who understand the value of diversity in the workforce will be important in meeting the needs of this deserving population. That’s why Enable America is here, not to provide a hand-out, but a hand-up to career success.”

Companies, agencies, organizations, and individuals that want to support or participate in Enable America programs can learn more at the organization’s website, EnableAmerica.org, or by contacting Executive Director Chris Jadick at Chris.Jadick@EnableAmerica.org.