This past summer, Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) once again launched its Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP), an initiative designed to provide young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to build vocational skills in real-world job settings.
(SWEP), Cameron helps keep the mats clean at his job
with CoMo Rocks.
Through a partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Agency offers SWEP to high school students without prior work experience during the summer before their junior and senior years. Participants are hired by Life & Work Connections, Inc. (LWC) which serves as the employer of record. Students work 20 hours per week from July to August, earning minimum wage while gaining hands-on experience at local businesses that serve as host sites.
Over the six-week program, participants worked closely with their LWC Community Skills Specialist. Together, they set personal goals, talk through their daily experiences and build critical workplace competencies. From learning how to talk with coworkers to taking on new tasks, participants also get used to the routine of showing up and being part of a team.
Community Skills Specialist Coresa Coloney shared that watching participants grow throughout the program was incredibly rewarding.
“I enjoyed watching both of my SWEP participants excel on the job, said Coresa. And witnessing their confidence build up each week was absolutely delightful.”
Watch this Instagram reel of SWEP participant Cameron, who enjoyed his time working at CoMo Rocks.