David Sings Song of Success in Job at Olive Garden

by Grady Chambers | Oct 29, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

Among the frontline dining workers helping welcome customers back to their favorite bars and restaurants, no one does it with as much good spirit as David. He works on the back-end at Olive Garden, and is known among his co-workers as the Michael Buble of the Dining...

From Autism Advocacy to Working with Animals, Gregory Does it All

by Grady Chambers | Oct 26, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

Last week we shared a piece about the CIS Benefits Team and their work with Gregory, and we’re happy to be back with more good news: he’s returned to the jobs he loves at the Philadelphia Animal Hospital and the bakery at GIANT, all the while carrying on his work as...

Mark Brings Spark to Kitchen at 1776

by Grady Chambers | Oct 25, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

We are so charmed today to share this story about Mark, who’s celebrating four years in his job at 1776 Steakhouse in Rehoboth, Delaware!Mark was tapped to join the team back in 2017, and it’s been a perfect fit. He loves his job, and he’s beloved by 1776 owners and...

Larry Finds a Career, and a Place of His Own

by Grady Chambers | Oct 21, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

We are so gratified to share this story on Larry, who’s made a career in the hospitality industry, and through his work has been able to afford a home of his own. In May, Larry was hired as a Bar Porter at Rivers Casino. It’s always been his dream to live on his own,...

Benefits Team Helps Bring Calm to Chaotic Time

by Grady Chambers | Oct 19, 2021 | Employer Focused, News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

An unsung hero of the pandemic at CIS is our Benefits Team, who sprang into action when hundreds of participants were laid off with little to no notice when COVID hit. Since March 2020, they’ve done outstanding work connecting CIS participants with recovery resources,...

WHYY: Will Remote Work Become More of a Long-term Option for Workers with Disabilities?

by Grady Chambers | Oct 15, 2021 | General

As we continue our celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re exploring the complex ways that the pandemic has impacted workers with disabilities.   This article from WHYY focuses on the massive shift to at-home work that has...

James Welcomes Philly Fans Back to the Ballpark

by Grady Chambers | Oct 12, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

NDEAM is all about workers with disabilities helping power the recovery, and we can’t think of a better example than James and his job at Citizens Bank Park, working on behalf of America’s favorite pastime.When baseball came back, it brought some much needed levity...

Transition Pathways Helps Students Find Community in a Time of Isolation

by Grady Chambers | Oct 11, 2021 | Employer Focused, News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

As we spend NDEAM honoring the role of people with disabilities to the economic recovery, we also want to bring attention to the communities that sustained people throughout the pandemic. One of them blossomed right here in Philadelphia, through Drexel University’s...

A Teacher’s Assistant, a Cook, a Mechanic: CIS Participants Begin an Array of Exciting Jobs

by Grady Chambers | Oct 6, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so we’re extra excited to share that 32 participants across Pennsylvania and Delaware began new jobs in September.   Fudia was hired at NEST, Philly’s all-in-one playspace and childhood education center;...

CIS Kicks off National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

by Grady Chambers | Oct 4, 2021 | NDEAM

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!   NDEAM is a celebration of America’s workers with disabilities, and the tremendous contributions they make in the workforce. This year’s theme is America’s Recovery: Powered by...

Jonah Celebrates 25 Years in his Job at Jefferson

by Grady Chambers | Sep 23, 2021 | News, Participant Stories, Participant Stories - 2021

It’s a special thing in life to commit yourself to something you love: that’s why we’re celebrating Jonah, who’s been working at Thomas Jefferson University for over 25 years. Hired in 1995, Jonah’s been in the IT Department since day 1, doing administrative and...

CIS Celebrates Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

by Grady Chambers | Sep 13, 2021 | General

This week is a special one at CIS, as we join with organizations around the country in celebration of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.This week, we take time to honor the work of those who day in and day out devote themselves to helping people with...