While many people begrudgingly head into work come Monday morning and claim they wouldn’t have a job if they didn’t need one, they often forget how rewarding they are and how important it is to have a sense of purpose.
Yet for those who struggle to find jobs, like people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, finding a sense of purpose and independence can be practically impossible. “Employment is such a catalyst for a full life that allows people to be fully a part of the community,” said Nicole Jorwic, the Director of Rights Policy for The Arc, which is a national organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To help put an end to this issue, Walter Gloshinski and his wife, Judy, took out a $300,000 loan to open Smiling With Hope Pizza this past January in Nevada and is making a point of hiring workers with disabilities. “We did it because it needed to be done,” Gloshinski told ABC News. “There are no jobs out there for these kids, so they are being prepared for nothing.”
Gloshinski has worked as a special education teacher for 25 years, and has created various programs in the past for kids with disabilities to gain working experience in bakeries and pizzerias. “We decided to open a pizzeria, and we are doing this all on our own dime. Everyone always thinks that other people will take care of people with disabilities,” Gloshinski said.
To ensure employees find the best position suitable for their needs, Gloshinski uses an individualized approach during training to highlight their strengths.
“We try to assess their skills, and place them in a situation where they can be successful and grow. Right now one of our trainees likes to be in the back. She does all the dishes, puts together pizza boxes, and she does the garlic knots,” Gloshinski said. “The other trainee is a people person, so he is up front seating people, busing tables and waiting tables.”
So far the community has been extremely supportive of pizzeria, and one day he hopes to set up pension plans for his employees as well as paid vacations.
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[Fatured image credit: Facebook/Smiling with Hope Pizza]
Inspiring Man Opens His Own Pizzeria To Help The Disabled Find Work is an article from: LifeDaily