Competitive Employment Program

10 Individuals currently receive support from this program at 3 Common Street in Waltham . Eight Individuals receive a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio in support at community jobs and at various volunteer opportunities, in which they are giving back to the community. Two Individuals work independently in the community with natural supports and receive support once a week or as needed. On occasions when Individuals are in between jobs they receive job development supports which includes job seeking, filling out applications, updating resumes and attending interviews. One person has been employed at Welch’s in Concord for the past 10 years. Another Individual has been working at CVS for 3 years and took on another position with BJ’s and works between 4 and 6 days a week between the two jobs. A number of enclave paid job opportunities in the community are an integral part of the program’s day to day work schedule. Community jobs currently include: - Union Street Restaurant & Bar, Crescent Suites Hotel, Mimaki Ltd, Beat Da’ Wrap, Ballroom in Boston , Union Street Restaurant and Balera Ballroom Dance Studio.

Jakarea Islam, the Director of the program, has created volunteer opportunities for those that want to give back to the community. Current volunteer commitments include: - The Watertown Free Public Library delivering books to the elderly as part of their "Homebound Book Delivery Program, bulk mailing at American Cancer Society, Watertown Community Housing, WATCH, Company One, shopping for the through the Spring well organization, food distribution through the food pantry at the American Red Cross, feeding feral cats through the Cat Connection and flyer distribution on behalf of Belmont World Film.

The program hosts the Agency's "The Uncommon Store," and items received from the Gifts in Kind program, where goods are donated from successful area businesses. Program participants are trained to record and store items, stock merchandise, manage inventory, assemble display items and package items for transport and customer service. The items are available for WCI homes, Employment programmes and Individuals.

Students from Bentley College provide literacy training to support and expand participants' job skills.