It’s in the news! Coming soon is an annual event that the Mayor’s Committee For Employment of Individuals with Disabilities has been planning for months. Students with disabilities from the William S. Hart Union School District have played a part in this planning by creating works of art.
The Mayor’s Committee is a nonprofit organization that helps local businesses increase their efforts to hire individuals with disabilities. This includes education on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, connection to resource organizations in the community, and support for employees and employers in successful long-term job placement.
The underlying goal of the Committee’s work is to reduce barriers to hiring individuals with disabilities, as once the barriers are down and individuals with disabilities are placed in work situations, the rewards to the businesses and the SCV community are evident.
The upcoming event is the second annual Educate-Empower-Employ Recognition Luncheon and fundraiser at the Institute of Culinary Education at College of the Canyons on Thursday, February 22. A beautiful, framed copy of the winning artwork emerging from the Students With Disabilities contest conducted by the Mayor’s Committee, will be presented to the sponsoring businesses. The artist is Stephanie Kamel, a young adult student from the Transitional Learning Center at Hart High School. (see below)
Sponsors of the luncheon who have committed $1,000 in support of the work of the Mayor’s Committee will be recognized, and additional sponsorships are available. Current sponsors are: The City of Santa Clarita, Boston Scientific, Poole Shaffery LLP, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, SetPoint Medical, and AMS Fulfillment. Companies being recognized at the event in addition to the sponsors for their support are College of the Canyons, Hanger Clinic, VONS Market, SCVEDC, Jersey Mike’s, Neo Tech, Pacific Lock and Goodwill Industries. Many of the sponsors will also be recognized for their inclusive employment practices.
The invitation to attend is extended to senior-level executives, employment professionals and other professionals who provide training and job placement for individuals with disabilities. Funds raised from the luncheon will be used by the Mayor’s Committee in its ongoing work, which ultimately aims to increase the number of individuals with disabilities in the local workforce.
Ken Wiseman, Committee Chairman shared: “Our goal is to, each year, increase the number of businesses we recognize for their inclusive employment practices. We know these companies are experiencing the benefits of inclusion, and our goal is to share the success stories to inspire other companies to join us.”
To register for the event, or to receive more information, please contact the Event Chair, Kathleen Secchi at kathleen.secchi@csun.edu.
Date: February 22, 2018
Time: 12 Noon
Location: College of the Canyon’s Institute of Culinary Education Facility, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia 91355
Stephanie Kamel’s beautiful artwork
