Local Agencies Present Employment & Disability Event

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Imagine a hybrid of a career fair, disability expo, volunteer fair and interviewing workshop.  In a nutshell, that’s the focus of Mentoring Day 2011.  This unique event will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Southwest Florida Works (4150 Ford Street Extension, Fort Myers).

More than 30 vendors and guest speakers will range from employment coaches and local employers to disability service providers and volunteer organizations. The Florida Eels sled hockey team will also be on hand to present adaptive sports opportunities for people with disabilities.

Mentoring Day is held in recognition of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, part of the U.S. government’s efforts to educate the American public about the contributions of employers with disabilities in the workplace.  Nationally, the US Department of Labor lists the unemployment rate among people with disabilities as 16.1%, nearly double the unemployment rate among people without disabilities (8.8%).

While services for people with disabilities are a main focus of Mentoring Day, any persons seeking employment assistance or volunteer opportunities are welcome to attend.  No registration is required.

Mentoring Day 2011 is presented by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (http://www.goodwillswfl.org), The Able Trust, and Southwest Florida Works.  For more information, contact Tim Goodman at (239) 274-3463 or Joe Belardinelli at (239) 931-8200 ext. 11192.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. provides programs and services to help people with disabilities and other disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence.  For more information about Goodwill’s programs, visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.

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About Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida:
Goodwill operates 25 thrift stores in SW Florida to support its mission of removing barriers to independence. Programs include income-sensitive housing, career placement assistance, the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School, Four Wheels for Work, and others.