CHANGE, Inc. Expands to Offer Job Training at TownMall

You'll see some new faces around TownMall -- the faces of CHANGE clients who are hungry for employment. CHANGE, Inc. recently expanded its vocational program with a new job readiness center located in TownMall. 

CHANGE's mission is to promote the dignity, self-reliance, health, productivity and community membership for people with developmental disabilities. 

The new space, across from Super Buffet, will allow CHANGE staff and clients to have easy access to local businesses and community partners.

"Our new training facility will establish a visible presence in the community and give people easy access to the great work we perform," CHANGE Director of Development Teresa Perrera told Patch. 

Clients will participate in training classes, hands-on skills training, computer training, workshops and seminars as well as mock interviews, role playing and resume preparation at the new space in the mall. The new work space is outfitted with four computers donated by the Carroll Tech Council. 

CHANGE client Tifani Helmstetter is attending learning sessions at the new mall space and said she hopes to get a job working with animals. 

"I always wanted to work with animals," Helmstetter told Patch. "I like to watch how the vet takes care of my dogs." 

Helmstetter said she has learned job skills like time management and she said she is becoming more confident in her interpersonal skills. 

CHANGE Job Developer Jim Mayola said that the clients enjoy the job training and are excited at the prospect of getting jobs. In the last three months, six CHANGE clients have been placed in jobs at local businesses like Gold's Gym and New Spider Web, according to Mayola. 

Perrera said the clients are excelling in the new workspace.

"We raised the bar and they've exceeded our expectations," Perrera said.

According to Perrera, having clients learning and working in the community helps to remove some of the preconceived notions that people have about hiring individuals with developmental disabilities. 

"Because of this [new space], people get to see who we really are, it helps remove the stigma." 

Mayola said the clients typically work several hours a day, several days a week, with many averaging around 20 hours a week.

If you have a job you think would be a good fit for one of our clients, please call Jim Mayola at 410-871-4521.