Causes: Job Training, Vocational Rehabilitation

Mission: Project genesis, inc. Is dedicated to providing individualized support and training which empower people with disabilities to successfully meet their needs, achieve their desires and enjoy the full range of life experiences within their communities. The organization believes that each person who desires to live and work in their community can be successful.

Programs: Funded by the department of rehabilitation services, bureau of rehabilitation services, our jobs program assists connecticut adults with a wide range of disabilities to obtain employment in their chosen fields. We provide vocational assessments, evaluations, job development and on-site training to ensure a positive job match and a smooth transition. Funded by the department of social services, our acquired brain injury (abi) waiver program provides brain injury survivors supports to live independently in their own homes and in the communities of their choice. We provide opportunities for our survivors to pursue work goals by supporting them in learning pre-vocational skills and assisting them in obtaining competitive employment. We assist our survivors in accessing community resources such as social service agencies, gyms, theaters, restaurants, group clubs, churches and educational opportunities. In partnership with connecticut's brain injury alliance (biac), project genesis proudly sponsors monthly brain injury support groups in willimantic and ellington, ct that draw survivors and their family members from the north central and northeast parts of the state. The meetings are facilitated jointly by survivors and our staff giving survivors the chance to meet, share their stories, advocate and support one another. This is their opportunity to come together and make everyone aware that they are defined by their individuality, not their injury. In partnership with the brain injury alliance of connecticut (biac), project genesis hosted the 4th annual "fun in the sun" summer cookout, which has become one of new england's largest social gatherings for acquired brain injury survivors, family members, providers, employees, team members, and friends with nearly 250 attendees from all over the state of connecticut. The annual cookout was held at camp harkness in waterford, ct and offers an opportunity for survivors, family members, friends and advocates to gather together to strengthen friendships, support one another and promote a great sense of community. Project genesis received the 2015 biac partnership award for outstanding support of the brain injury alliance of connecticut (biac) events and promotion of brain injury awareness and prevention in connecticut's communities. Biac described project genesis as, "an invaluable partner to biac for many years, project genesis supports many of biac's fundraising and outreach events, including the tour of lights bike-a-thon and the walk for thought, and hosts two biac support groups. Fortunately for biac, project genesis' vocabulary does not include the word 'no. '" in 2015, our special education support services (sess) program hosted the 2nd annual student learning fair at generations in willimantic. The learning fair was received incredibly well by our students, mentors, family members and the project genesis team. Thirty-five students participated and showcased their talents, skills and dreams as they entered projects in one of four categories identified on their respective individual education plans (iep): living skills, academic, vocational and recreation. In 2015, project genesis continued our series of social events for survivors, students, family members and friends, including an annual talcott mountain hike, annual graduation picnic, winter holiday party, winter cookie swap, apple picking, scavenger hunt, biac walk for thought, earth day clean up, corn maze trip, friday fish fry, a halloween party, a thanksgiving gathering, social thinking group and bingo night. These events present the opportunity for our students and adults with brain injuries to gather for fun and develop friendships, while establishing themselves as part of their community. Project genesis' acquired brain injury and special education support service managers and employees organized the events, provided structure and refreshments, advertisement as well as transportation to and from the events. Project genesis was awarded a 2015 top workplaces honor by the hartford courant. The top workplaces are based solely on the results of an independent employee feedback survey that measures several aspects of workplace culture such as employee appreciation, job satisfaction, leadership and more. Project genesis placed in the top 15 for midsize companies and also received special recognition for "outstanding meaningfulness" as quoted by one of our employees, "my job makes me feel like i am part of something special. " in 2015, project genesis provided individualized support services to over 225 individuals with disabilities throughout the state. Success for project genesis is truly measured by the successes of the consumers we serve. They courageously dare to dream, chart a course, and do the hard work needed to achieve their goals. Each time we witness a consumer's success, we are humbled, inspired, and grateful to be a part of their amazing journey. We are happy to share a few consumer success stories including joining marc as he finished a 5k walk; supporting andrew as he graduated from manchester community college; helping tyler obtain full-time employment at central connecticut state university; supporting kim as she graduated from high school and helping bryce secure an accounting position at aetna.