February 21, 2022 (Rochester, NY) –   Thank you to the ESL Charitable Foundation for awarding a $26,863 grant to enhance DePaul’s WorkGuide Supported Employment Program.

DePaul’s WorkGuide Program has decades of experience providing vocational support to individuals with mental, developmental or physical disabilities seeking assistance with gainful employment in Monroe County. Along with the financial benefits and self-sufficiency, employment also assists individuals in gaining a sense of purpose and fulfillment, and a sense of pride in themselves and their work. WorkGuide assists in building a sense of community between employers and employees while also fostering respect and support for individuals with disabilities.

In 2021, WorkGuide served over 500 people ages 16 and older who fall below the poverty line in Monroe County. WorkGuide encourages many people, including employers, service providers, policymakers and the public at large, to dispense with the false notion that people with disabilities are not capable of successfully working in community-based employment settings.

DePaul is grateful for the support of the ESL Charitable Foundation in making a positive, long-term impact on the individuals, neighborhoods and communities that our agency serves. A progressive, private not-for-profit organization founded in 1958, DePaul is committed to providing quality services including assisted living services for seniors; residential and support services to persons with mental illness in recovery, some of whom have a history of homelessness; addiction prevention and support services, vocational programs and affordable housing. DePaul assists individuals in achieving their optimum level of independence and success in the environment of their choice, while remaining sensitive to assessed community needs and available resources.