The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Ability Beyond helps with preparation for the workplace
Program prepares youth with disabilities
Over the past two years, Chris Fitzpatrick has learned how to build lamps at Home Goods and stock shelves and help customers at Price Rite, all while improving his social skills.
These are just two of the internships the 22-year-old Shelton resident has had as part of services through Ability Beyond.
Fitzpatrick, who is on the autism spectrum, is one of 68 clients in the Bethel-based organization’s program to help students with disabilities make the transition from school to a career.
Program manager Karen Samperi said the goal is to help young people with disabilities discover what they are good at and find competitive employment.
“This way they can have an idea of what’s out there and they can have a better idea of what they want to do, trying to match their skills and their wants together with the business,” she said.
Clients attend classes to build their skills in handling money, resume-writing, interviewing and other areas. They also tour businesses and complete internships at local restaurants, hotels, stores and warehouses.
“We move them around to see where their strengths are, and then teach them along the way to increase them,” Samperi said.
Samperi said some clients thrive in retail because they do better in social settings, while others find success in the warehouse or cleaning.
Clients can stay in the program for up to three years, but some transition into a job more quickly, Samperi said.
Ability Beyond also runs Roses for Autism, whose clients grow and sell roses at a farm in Guilford. Proceeds from the roses benefit the organization.
April is Autism Awareness Month.
The Bedoukian Corporation, based in Danbury, also created a perfume, Ardent Rose, based on the fragrance of one of the roses, to benefit Ability Beyond. About 3,400 bottles have been sold, raising $130,000 for the organization.
Robert Bedoukian, a board member for Ability Beyond, will earn the Robert S. Young Humanitarian award for his support at the organization’s annual fundraising gala from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on April 28 at the Amber Room Colonnade.
Bedoukian said he admires the dedication the organization has for its clients.
“The level of support that Ability gives people, in both helping them with housing, independent living, job training, is a wonderful thing,” he said. “Those who are lucky enough not to need that, have a responsibility to help.”
Samperi said clients with autism sometimes find it difficult to sit still in the classroom, so they often thrive in the internships.
“Movement is the key,” she said. “We’re just probably not going to put them in a classroom. We’ll just have to teach those things in different ways.”
Since joining the program in 2016, Fitzpatrick has worked at Waterworks Warehouse, Price Rite, La Quinta Hotels, Home Goods and other local businesses. He is looking forward to trying more jobs, but said he enjoys retail the most.
Fitzpatrick was born in Russia, but moved to the United States as a baby when he was adopted by a family in Shelton. He attended Shelton Public Schools until high school, when he went to Cooperative Educational Services in Trumbull.
After graduating, he transitioned to services at Ability Beyond, a program he loves.
“(It’s) so much fun,” Fitzpatrick said. “The people are nice and helpful.”
Fitzpatrick said he hangs out with his peers outside of class and he enjoys the after-hours social activities Ability Beyond hosts once a week.
“I learned how to make new friends and use my calming techniques,” Fitzpatrick said, adding he has been taught to count to 10 and take deep breaths when he feels stressed.
He said he has also learned how to be more flexible and gotten better at using his words, instead of his actions.