Shalom Austin welcomes the RAISE program

In March 2014, RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees), a Federation of Greater Orlando program, was launched with five employees who worked part-time, two days a week for three hours at The Roth Family JCC and JFS Orlando. Ten years later, RAISE launched its program in Teaneck, New Jersey, which is now beginning its second year with four employees, and this year RAISE officially launched at Shalom Orlando in Austin, Texas. Interestingly, the launch is during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month.

Just a few weeks ago, RAISE Director Rachel Slavkin and RAISE Founder and Strategy & Development Director Loren London, spent two days training the team at Shalom Austin, working with the staff setting up the RAISE program, training them in marketing, fund raising and volunteer work to make RAISE successful there. The RAISE program in Austin will officially start in September.

Orlando’s RAISE program has 14 employees now and hopes to expand to 16 when the new season begins in the fall.

If you know of someone who could benefit from the RAISE program, Slavkin said they are now accepting online applications for RAISE employees as well as opportunities to volunteer as a RAISE job coach for the Fall season.

For more information or to apply, visit wwwljfgo.org/raise or call 407-645-5933, ext. 236.