Employ210

Although there are no definitive statistics about the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the U.S., the National Center for PTSD has found that about 5% of the population has PTSD in any given year. In San Antonio, that number is higher due to our large military population. Nicknamed “Military City USA,” San Antonio is home to 160,000 veterans and more than 80,000 active-duty service members.

Thankfully, San Antonio boasts a wealth of support for individuals with PTSD. A generally effective component of treatment, trauma-focused talk therapy is offered free of charge through several local organizations including the Military Veteran Peer Network, the Warrior Group, the San Antonio Vet Center, and the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The online database and Employ 210 partner San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD) also maintains listings for various support outlets, including the PTSD Foundation of America, which runs the 24/7 Combat Trauma Help Line at (877) 717-7873.

UT Health San Antonio is also dedicated to addressing PTSD and other veteran issues. In April, the university reported a breakthrough that significantly reduces symptoms for PTSD victims. During a monthlong study, researchers complemented psychotherapy with a patented MRI-guided, robotic-controlled form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMI) and found that 85% of recipients experienced symptom reductions significant enough to improve quality of life.

Another valuable resource, UTSA’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs supports students in many ways and also hosts Coffee with Vets — a monthly program that takes place every second Wednesday in UTSA’s Veterans Lounge.

But PTSD isn’t bound by military issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD in any form, help is available at no cost through the UTSA Sarabia Family Counseling Center and around the clock via the National Institute of Mental Health’s crisis hotline, which can be accessed by calling or texting 988.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

As a grant-funded program with ambitious goals, Employ 210 thinks quite a bit about numbers. But each number represents a person — and specifically a participant we’ve supported on their journey to finding competitive employment in San Antonio. As we prepare for a busy summer ahead, we’re happy to report that 135 individuals with varying disabilities have completed one of our specialized “blueprints” — free job-training programs that incorporate hands-on learning and simulated workplace scenarios. Of those 135 participants, 36 have been placed in jobs with one of our San Antonio business partners. As encouraged as we are by those numbers, we’ve got plenty more growing and expanding to do — and we’re always looking for the next opportunity.

If you or someone you know could benefit from one of our completely free job-training programs, we encourage you to fill out the general interest form on our website (Employ210.com), email us at [email protected] or call us at (726) 842-3895.

And if you’re a San Antonio business owner who’s interested in tapping into an underutilized talent pool of pre-trained job seekers, we would love to hear from you as well!

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Currently Recruiting for: Instructional Assistants

Employ 210 is currently recruiting job seekers with varying disabilities and support needs for free virtual training sessions that will prepare them to apply for positions as Instructional Assistants in public schools. An Instructional Assistant supports students with special needs by assisting with instruction, behavior management, personal care, safety, social skills, and the implementation of individualized educational goals in the classroom. Applicants may choose between two virtual training schedules:

Monday, June 1 & Wednesday, June 3 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

OR

Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday June 4 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Following the virtual training, participants are encouraged to volunteer at Camp Durango at the UTSA Downtown Campus to gain experience working with children with disabilities in a fun, educational setting with support from Employ 210 staff. Applicants may choose between two in-person volunteer schedules at 501 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.

Monday, June 8 - Thursday, June 11 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

OR

Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

After completing the training, participants 18 and up with GEDs or high school diplomas will be prepared to apply to work as an Instructional Assistant at their desired school district for the upcoming school year, with opportunities for both full-time and substitute positions that offer flexible scheduling.

To register, visit Employ210.com/events, email [email protected] or call (726) 842-3895.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Last week, Employ 210 hosted a series of four training sessions developed in partnership with RK Catering, a San Antonio hospitality industry titan that produces thousands of events each year. During the sessions, Employ 210 Project Manager Sierra Stegemann, Special Research Associates Kiana Leal and Marie Conant, and Graduate Research Assistants Colleen Hale, Rubi Garcia and Kassandra Smith supported a cohort of six job seekers with varying disabilities as they learned and practiced new skills during simulated workplace scenarios. In addition to event preparation exercises such as folding napkins and setting banquet tables with silverware and glassware, the participants practiced lifting and carrying heavy service trays and serving hors d’oeuvres — all skills that will help them stand out when applying to work with RK Catering.

“All our participants were attentive and eager to learn, and they took feedback well,” Sierra said. “This group had a really positive attitude about working, and they are all super excited to apply to RK Catering!”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Our tech team recently traveled to Southern Methodist University in Dallas for the pilot testing of the forthcoming Employ 210 app. While at SMU, tech team members Leslie Neely and Katie Holloway met with mechanical engineering professor Adel Alaeddini along with Zack Dugue, Manan Shukla and Yassine Hafiane to begin testing the app’s video analysis feature.

“The pilot testing went great,” Katie reported. “The application will be able to record a video of a vocational task being executed and turn it into a task analysis for training others in executing the same task. We specifically selected technical tasks like laser cutting and robotics operations to test the complexity of tasks that the feature can handle. We will be processing the performance metrics of the results in the coming weeks.”

The tech team was also able to attend an SMU networking event focused on integrating AI into educational settings — a topic that’s particularly relevant to the specialized training “blueprints” Employ 210 develops for job seekers with varying disabilities and support needs.

A beta version of the Employ 210 app is expected by the end of the summer.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Please join us in congratulating Employ 210 Graduate Research Assistant Colleen Hale on her graduation from UT San Antonio with a master’s in behavior analysis! A Southern California native who grew up two miles from the beach, Colleen earned a BFA before beginning her master’s program. “It took me a while to decide what I wanted to study for my master’s degree,” she explains. “I wanted to choose a study that would lean on my life experiences and benefit others.” Colleen joined the Employ 210 team during the second year of her master’s program. In her role as a Graduate Research Assistant, she supports senior researchers in developing the Employ 210 job training “blueprints” that give our participants a great advantage when applying for jobs. “I wanted to take this opportunity to get involved in research at UT San Antonio,” she says. “There are very few times in our lives when we get to reimagine ourselves and focus purely on our interests. This opportunity presented itself, and I jumped on it.” As you can see from these photos taken during Employ 210 Job Experience Events, Colleen’s kind and supportive nature makes her a great fit for our program. Congratulations Colleen, and cheers to great things on the horizon!

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

As part of Employ 210’s new partnership with the Alamodome’s staffing company Allied Universal Event Services, we recently hosted three training sessions between Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) and the Alamodome. During the sessions, Employ 210 Project Manager Sierra Stegemann, Special Research Associate Kiana Leal, and Graduate Research Assistants Colleen Hale, Rubi Garcia and Kassandra Smith supported 22 job seekers with varying disabilities as they learned skills associated with Guest Services shifts at the Alamodome. After two mornings of practice at the MAC, our cohort was given the authentic Alamodome employee experience — thanks to a private tour and orientation led by Allied Universal’s San Antonio Branch Manager Richard Campbell.

“The participants said they loved having a hands-on experience,” Kiana said. “They were able to go through the entire experience, including checking in, getting their badge and employee shirt, and attending a team meeting with Richard. They were also able to practice ticket scanning and escorting people to their seats. Many participants reported that they’re eager to apply.”

Among those eager participants was Markus Jack, who confirmed that the training provided a clear picture of the job. “The hands-on practice was very helpful,” he said. “Visiting the worksite gave me a good idea of what will be expected of me.”

Sierra concurred about the training’s success. “We were super excited about the turnout for this training,” she said. “All of our participants did well following instructions and learning new tasks, and they asked thoughtful questions. During the role-play scenarios they were able to assist example “guests” — even when we tried throwing curveballs their way like trying to sneak past the ticket scanners or having a fake ticket. Richard and his team were incredibly welcoming and highlighted the importance of asking questions when starting a new job and said that our participants would always have help or guidance from the staff. It was a great experience!”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Currently Recruiting!

Employ 210 is currently recruiting job seekers with varying disabilities and support needs for free training sessions developed in partnership with RK Catering. Taking place May 11-14, the training will provide participants with new skill sets that will give them an advantage when applying to work with RK Catering or in any area of the hospitality industry. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older, preferably have prior experience in food service or customer service, be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to lift and carry heavy items while working on their feet for extended hours.

Training details:
May 11-13 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at ZerNona S. Black Multigenerational Cultural Community Center, 333 Martin Luther King Dr.
May 14 from 9 - 11 a.m. at Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center), 5210 Thousand Oaks Dr.

To register, scan the QR code on this flyer, fill out the registration form on our website (Employ210.com/events) or call us at (726) 842-3895.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

A San Antonio landmark since 1993, the Alamodome routinely hosts massive events such as the NCAA Final Four and the Valero Alamo Bowl along with conventions, graduations and concerts. Thanks to a partnership with the Alamodome’s staffing company Allied Universal, Employ 210 was given a bird’s-eye view of what it’s like to work one of these large-scale events. After developing a job-training “blueprint” based on guest services positions, the Employ 210 team supported a cohort of 22 individuals with varying disabilities as they learned new skill sets during training sessions that culminated with an orientation at the Alamodome. This new partnership has been facilitated by Allied Universal’s San Antonio Branch Manager Richard Campbell, who’s worked in event security for 35 years.

“Allied is an equal opportunity employer, so we can find a spot for just about everyone, depending on what their needs are,” Campbell explained. In preparation for our orientation, Campbell pulled out all the stops to give Employ 210 recruits the full picture of what a busy Alamodome shift looks like.

“We’re going to do it just like they’re employees,” Campbell said. “They’re going to go through a security checkpoint and sign in at the check-in desk. Then we’re going to take them downstairs, put them in uniform and take them to our briefing room and brief them on what we’re going to do. We’re going to do some ticket scanning and some ushering. We’ll have half the group on the ticket scanners and half on ushering, and then we’ll switch those two groups. And then we’ll bring them back downstairs and have them turn in their uniform and sign out in our logistics room.”

Campbell’s openness to partnering with Employ 210 comes from a personal place. “I’m a little OCD, my brother was ADHD-diagnosed, and I have family members on the spectrum,” he said. “And the employees that are on the spectrum that currently work for us are just amazing. Anything I could ever do to help anybody feel comfortable and get their job done, I’m game for that. This is very important to me.”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Through its specialized programming throughout the year, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts shows its dedication to support individuals of all abilities. In addition to offering sensory-friendly matinee performances free of charge, the nonprofit organization gives back to the community via the Tobin Cares initiative and organizes signature events such as Inclusion Fest. Billed as an “inclusive and accessible festival for all ages and abilities, celebrating community, connection, and the power of belonging,” the event returns on Saturday, May 2 for a free day of fun in the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre and the Will Naylor Smith Riverwalk Plaza. Made possible by Valero and CPS Energy, and presented in partnership with the Autism Community Network and KLRN, Inclusion Fest features interactive activity stations and hand-on crafts, a live story time, a calming area, and a sensory friendly screening of Carl the Collector — an animated series centering around an autistic raccoon with a love of collecting. Activities aside, Inclusion Fest provides an excellent opportunity for guests to connect with local organizations aligned with the disability community. Attendees can learn about services and collect resources from a broad array of groups including Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center), Special Olympics Texas, camp CAMP, disABILITYsa, the Magic Theatre, Generation NEXT, KultureCity, and the Crescendo Center, among others.

Inclusion Fest
Free (registration encouraged), 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.