Greenleaf Job Training Services Newsletter

Vol. 29, Issue 2 – July 2025

Summer is Flourishing!

EmpowerU Summer Program Began July 7

With July just around the corner, we’re excited to announce the start of our EmpowerU summer program on July 7.

EmpowerU is a 5-week career development opportunity for youth ages 14 to 24. Participants will complete the full series of Empowering Employment classes, which include workplace readiness, job exploration, self-advocacy, and more. They’ll also gain six hours of paid work experience.

The program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. in our office.

Thank you to The City of Columbus Ohio and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. This program has been made possible thanks to generous funding from the City of Columbus.

For more information on this program, contact us today.

Loren Lander, Empowering Employment Program Manager, llander@greenleafjts.org

Employer Survey: Disability Hiring and Workforce Inclusion

Participate in our employer survey to help us identify the needs of businesses we partner with!

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Project SEARCH Graduation!

We are thrilled to recognize the incredible accomplishments of our participants who recently graduated from the Project SEARCH program—a school-year-long internship program designed to help high school seniors with disabilities build real-world job skills in a community work setting.

This year’s graduates completed their internships at Dublin Methodist Hospital, Licking Memorial Health Systems, and OhioHealth Doctors Hospital (Doctors West).

Throughout the year, they rotated through various departments, gained hands- on experience, and developed the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce. We’re so proud of their hard work, growth, and determination—and excited to see what they do next.

Congratulations, graduates!

New Partnership with Victoria’s Secret and ADAPT

We are excited to announce a new community partnership with Victoria’s Secret & Co. and their employee resource group, ADAPT (Abled and Disabled Allies Partnering Together). In June 2025, Greenleaf was awarded $30,000 in funding to support our mission and expand our impact.

This generous contribution will directly support our Empowering Employment program, helping youth with disabilities build essential career skills and access meaningful work experiences. In addition to financial support, ADAPT members will also engage in volunteer opportunities with Greenleaf throughout the year, deepening the partnership and creating valuable connections between our organizations.

We are deeply grateful for this collaboration and look forward to the possibilities ahead.

Participant Spotlight: Benjamin

Benjamin was nominated as participant of the month for June! He started this year by taking on the challenge of adapting to a new employer and meeting new expectations. He has consistently exceeded both his tasks and the expectations of his colleagues.

Benjamin demonstrates a thorough understanding of his responsibilities and effectively manages his duties before and after the dinner service. Whether he is offering assistance to coworkers or stepping in to support a new food station, Benjamin is always prepared to lend a hand.

His unwavering dedication, significant contributions, and hard work make him a deserving candidate for this award. Congratulations, Benjamin!