Easterseals RISE celebrated the expansion of disability services in DeKalb County today with a ribbon cutting at its new Auburn office. The Easterseals RISE office at 650 North St. in Auburn will serve as a hub for the agency’s employment services and Transitions program.
“We’re looking forward to helping individuals with disabilities in Auburn and the surrounding area thrive as active members of the community,” said Crystal Church-Stavitzke, Easterseals RISE executive director.
Employment services help individuals develop workplace skills and find jobs that match their interests and abilities. Being located in Auburn will allow the Easterseals RISE staff to build relationships with local employers to explore their staffing needs and help them understand how Easterseals RISE clients can fill those needs.
Transitions caters to each individual’s personal goals with a heavy focus on community inclusion and preparing for community employment or post-secondary education. Participants are encouraged to pursue employment goals, explore education opportunities, and learn independent living skills. Some activities and instruction will take place at the North Street office, but participants will spend a significant amount of time exploring the community.
“By bringing these services to Auburn, we want to break down some of the barriers that can prevent individuals with disabilities from reaching their full potential,” Church-Stavitzke said. “It’s all about creating opportunities, not just for the people we serve, but also for the community that can grow in new ways by being more inclusive.”
The Auburn community welcomes the increase in services from Easterseals RISE.
“In a time when our employers are experiencing tremendous growth stunted by labor shortage, this expansion in services will open up new hiring opportunities for employers and further training for young adults,” said Shannon Carpenter, executive director of the DeKalb Chamber Partnership. “The Chamber is proud to help facilitate these partnerships. We are excited to see this growth of Easterseals RISE’s presence in our DeKalb County communities.”
Easterseals RISE recently opened a respite house in Garrett and offers day programs, supported living, and behavior solutions through its main office in Angola.