Fulfilling Careers for All with Flourish

Every person deserves a job that makes them feel like they've accomplished something - a sense of fulfillment they can take home after a long day's work. However, those who have a disability aren't always given this opportunity because of the learning curve required to develop work skills needed in more specialized industries.

Northeast Iowa Community College is decreasing that learning curve thanks to the new Flourish Program.

“The idea came to me about certificate training programs things like CNA programs, welding and all of those NICC offers,” Margee Woywood, Director of Mission Services at Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, said. “I thought that if they were lengthened over more class periods and taught for shorter classes, with more support, someone with a mild disability could pass that course.”

Woywood wanted to help these individuals find more fulfilling careers and help area businesses fill open positions they may have. Her idea led to a discussion with NICC leaders and through their shared interests an outline of the Flourish program began to emerge.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Dubuque Community Schools were eventually brought on as partners with NICC and Goodwill Industries. Their goal was to help those with disabilities obtain better employment at a higher wage and have more fulfilling work.

“Typically, people with disabilities are thought of with service-type jobs," Woywood said, "so they get pigeon-holed into certain careers. I know those with disabilities have the same career goals that everyone else has.”

The biggest obstacle in the first cycle was identifying the students who would be good matches for the program and explaining how this would benefit them.

Currently, this program does have funding options available. Not only for education but transportation and childcare as well.

“As this program continues and grows,” Woywood said, “we may reach out to businesses for partnerships to specifically find people in their field and put some interns through the training program.”

Candidates for this program are anyone interested in career path training available through NICC with the basic aptitude and skills who need a little support. A new career outlook is now an option for all.

Those interested can contact any of the Flourish Program partners for more information.