News Release
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Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
Director,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
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laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Workers Recognized for Excellence in Service
Five men who attended transitional program receive awards for commitment, success.
Five young men who worked in Wilmington University’s maintenance department have received awards recognizing their progress and commitment to the ServiceSource “FrameWork for Success” school-to-work transition program.
Sedric Johnson, Devin Lockhart, Andrew McLaughlin, Richard Paynter, and Zachary Zebley were honored at a recent Founders Award Dinner for the ServiceSource Delaware Regional Office. All five men worked part-time in various capacities for the University’s groundskeeping department. Jobs ranged from landscaping to janitorial work.
“FrameWork for Success” is a collaborative program with the Brandywine and New Castle County Vo-Tech School Districts that prepares students with disabilities in their last years of high school for the working world. Their experience is gained through internships with local businesses and paid training in the ServiceSource work center.
“Many of these men come to us with little or no experience in the job market,” said Erin Doordan, an employment consultant with the “Framework for Success” program. “Through our program, they learn independence, commitment and enthusiasm.”
Johnson received the Community Placement Employee of the Year award. Zebley received the Delaware State Use Employee of the Year award. Lockhart, McLaughlin, and Paynter received the Service Excellence Award. All five award recipients are currently employed full-time.
“FrameWork for Success” program manager Shane Evans said it was touching to watch the students blossom into goal-oriented, responsible adults through their participation in the program.
Zebley, for example, “became laser-focused on getting a job,” Evans said. “[He] sharpened his interview skills through constant practice, researched the types of tasks he needed to master, and, foremost, grew confident in his own abilities.”
After finishing the “FrameWork” program, Zebley went to work for the Carvel State Office Building in Dover, Delaware. He was swiftly promoted to full time and is highly regarded by coworkers and supervisors.
ServiceSource is a nonprofit organization that provides service to individuals with disabilities through innovative and valued employment, training, habilitation, housing and support services. For more information on the “FrameWork” program or ServiceSource, visit http://www.servicesource.org.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit university committed to offering flexible and career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs while maintaining small class sizes, individualized attention and affordable tuition. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636) or toll free 877-967-5464, via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu or visit our website at www.wilmu.edu.
