The City of Mission Viejo has been named “Employer of the Year” by Vocational Visions and will be honored at the non-profit organization’s annual fundraiser in April at the Irvine Marriott.
For nearly four decades, Vocational Visions has provided a wide array of services for people with developmental and other disabilities. The organization strives to provide the highest quality program opportunities to serve the vocational, economic and social potential of people with special needs. The relationship between the non-profit and City began 15 years ago with four participants working at City park jobsites. Today there are 15 Vocational Visions participants employed by the City. They work at the library, Montanoso Recreation Center and at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. They help clean park restrooms. Their work is essential to City operations.
“The City has shown a continuing commitment to support Vocational Visions and its participants in ongoing employment in our community,” Kathryn Hebel, executive director of Vocational Visions said in a letter to the City. “We thank you for providing jobs that promote self-sustainability and community inclusion.”
This is not the first Employer of the Year award Mission Viejo has received for its efforts. Last April, the City was recognized as Outstanding Employer of the Year by the California Disabilities Services Association, a professional trade association representing 100 community-based, non-profit direct care service providers to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The City is truly grateful for the recognitions but gives much credit to its partnership with Vocational Visions and the good work the organization does for the community. More than 450 people per year receive employment, support, social and recreation services from Vocational Visions. Primary program funding comes from the California State Department of rehabilitation, the California State Department of Developmental Services and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
“Vocational Visions looks forward to many years of partnership with the City of Mission Viejo,” Hebel said. “Thank you for helping create possibilities for people with disabilities!”
For more information, visit www.vocationalvisions.org.
My husband is being transferred to Southern California and we have a 27 year old son with asperger’s syndrome. He has worked in Northern California with Voc Rehab in finding employment and we are hoping that Mission Viejo would also be a place that voc rehab would be helpful to him. He is very high functioning and just received certification in forklift driving. He loves science and nature and is very knowledgeable. Do you have other jobs available besides cleaning toilets for a person who is higher functioning?