What’s New

Waverly Newspapers Progress Edition Part 2 – March 2019

For almost 30 years, The Larrabee Center has held strong to the belief that people with disabilities can be and are valuable members of our community. To us, it is not just a mission statement hanging on the wall in our office – it is what we do. Our loyal and dedicated staff work with individuals living right here in our community who want all that life has to offer, just like you and me. 

One thing that often defines us, and the part we play in the community, is our job. Often times when we meet someone new, we are asked “what do you do?” or “where do you work?” Being able to answer that question with pride is a privilege not all individuals with disabilities have but one they should have. The Larrabee Center’s Employment Support Services program, working right here in our community, makes that possible by serving Bremer, Butler and Grundy Counties. We are so fortunate to be able to work alongside some amazing individuals on their employment journey.

Over the last few years, employment services in the State of Iowa have seen a transition in philosophy with the belief that everyone who wants to work in the community, should be able to work in the community. The Larrabee Center has embraced the Employment First Principles and has worked to transform and expand employment services to meet the needs of all individuals who seek employment. And, in doing so, we’ve also been able to serve the business community by helping fill employment gaps with a qualified workforce.

The Larrabee Center recognizes that in order to find meaningful careers, individuals need to have various experiences. Traditionally, we had work crews at Trinkets & Togs Thrift Store in Waverly and also other local businesses like Wartburg College and Friends of the Family. We have expanded our services to offer career exploration services such as job shadows and workplace readiness placements that allow individuals to learn more about various jobs and have the opportunity to try out working in various industries. Last year, we partnered with a variety of employers in our three-county service area including:  Paws Amore, Pizza Ranch, Bartel’s Lutheran Retirement Community, Trinkets & Togs Thrift Stores (Waverly and Grundy Center), Brother’s Market (Grundy Center), Roling Ford (Shell Rock), Feldmeier Equipment (Shell Rock), and Dike-New Hartford Middle School (New Hartford).

Other individuals have already identified the type of work they want to do and need support to obtain and maintain employment. We have assisted individuals to gain employment and/or provided on-the-job coaching at local businesses including:  Sasquatch Jacks, Waverly Health Center, City of Waverly – Parks/Cemetery department for seasonal work, Bartel’s Lutheran Retirement Community maintenance and housekeeping departments, Kwik Star (Dike), Brother’s Market (Grundy Center), and Trinkets & Togs Thrift Store (Waverly).

In August, Sasquatch Jacks celebrated their one-year anniversary and Uriah celebrated one year of employment with the local restaurant. Uriah had previously worked on work crews through The Larrabee Center’s Employment Support Services, gaining experience at Trinkets & Togs Thrift Store and Wartburg College Dining Services. When he saw the HELP WANTED sign in the window of a new restaurant, he was ready to apply. With the support of a job coach, Uriah applied for and obtained a job as a dishwasher. Uriah’s job coach worked closely with him and the managers to assist in orientation and training and faded out support as Uriah was stable in his new job. Over the year, Uriah has become part of the team at Sasquatch Jacks and truly enjoys his job. Most recently, another individual who had been receiving employment supports with TLC was also hired on as a dishwasher as well.

As we look to the coming year, we are honored to be part of the employment journey for both high school youth and adults with various abilities who are seeking to be valued members of the workforce. We are excited to continue to expand our employer network as well, helping to bring awareness of underutilized labor in our communities, to help fill positions at local businesses. For more information on our Employment Support Services program, visit our website at www.larrabeecenter.org.

Originally published in the Waverly Newspapers Pillars of Progress Part Two: 2019 – March 21, 2019