For the second year The Arc Jacksonville received a Public Service Grant from the City of Jacksonville to underwrite work by Arc’s Employment Services department.? Funding of $125,000 was included in the new City budget adopted for fiscal year 2015-16 that begins?October 1.”This award will enable us to continue the momentum established over the past year in developing relationships with local businesses who are looking to diversify their work force to include persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” explained Susan Hamilton, vice president of employment.Arc’s employment services staff custom-match the skills of people to needs of companies through pre-screening, job training and on-the-job coaching. Among the 17 individuals recently placed in positions were Haley and Caitlin, two young ladies who have found what they consider “dream jobs.”

Two recent placements are Caitlin?and Haley:

Caitlin works?as a Shipping Associate for Holmes Stamp &?Sign, a local company which has been in business since 1954. Caitlin is part of the Shipping Team and values being the newest member. Caitlin loves her new job and looks forward to going to work every day.?Arc’s Caitlin Simpson (foreground) is accompanied in the photograph by (l to r) Brian Croft, CEO & President of Holmes Stamp & Sign, Elena Rend, Caitlin Genereaux, Anita Mascioli and Marc Rials.

Haley is a recent graduate of the On Campus Transition program at the University of North Florida. She loves fashion and aspired to work in a fashionable retail environment. Haley recently began working at Forever 21 as a Store Associate. Forever 21 is her first job, and she enjoys it. She readies clothing for display on the floor and has also learned how to sensor merchandise. When working early mornings, she does some housekeeping to prepare the store for customers. She is also responsible for checking clothing piles for missing price tags and ink sensors and then logging the findings in the loss prevention book.