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A Client-Managed Entrepreneurial Venture
Client-managed means that participants in the program actually help train and mentor other participants as part of the program. This engenders a sense of responsibility and pride of accomplishment in being a contributing part of the process.
H.E.A.R.T. is a two-part client-managed entrepreneurial venture for adults with developmental disabilities that operates a vending and concessions business. Through its carefully designed educational and job training programs H.E.A.R.T.:
- Part 1 prepares its participants for gainful employment by providing individualized assessments and job readiness training.
- Part 2 allows the participants to work both within the general community and in a sheltered workshop, as appropriate, through H.E.A.R.T. Vending and Concessions.
Through the H.E.A.R.T. Program, Educational Programs Inspiring Communities, Inc. demonstrates daily:
- That providing training and job skills will substantially increase the chances for employment after high school
- That repetitive on-the-job training can successfully prepare participants for the workforce
- That a client-managed venture provides participants the chance to become productive members of society and enjoy the sense of self-worth that comes from that
- That higher-functioning participants are good mentors to lower-functioning participants
- That community interaction and employment in the community are successful alternatives to sheltered employment settings
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