Unity Employment Services expands programming, employment support to Tompkins County

Unity House’s Unity Employment Services has officially expanded into Tompkins County, bringing new opportunities for people with disabilities to access vocational training, job development, and employment support.

The expansion follows a collaborative conversation between Unity House and Margie Shaw, a Unity House board member involved with Ithaca City School District and specializing in special education. Shaw inquired about pre-vocational training for students in special education while exploring ways to introduce Unity House as a viable career pathway for the broader student body.

During a recent ACCES-VR review, Unity House leadership inquired about the need for services in Tompkins County and followed up with OPWDD and ACCES-VR to confirm flexibility for programming in the area. The team also began discussions with Cornell University regarding potential culinary training opportunities in their test kitchen, while establishing early work experience partnerships with Challenge Industries and Springbrook.

Unity House has since launched its Career Specific Vocational Training (CSVT) program in Ithaca, gaining approval to provide additional services such as Supported Employment (SEMP) and community-based pre-vocational programs. The first cohort is already underway, with a second group forming and referrals steadily increasing.

“Expanding UES services in Ithaca has been a tremendous opportunity for UES,” said program director Amanda McManus. “We feel fortunate to be able to partner with new businesses and more importantly, able to reach a whole new group of people. We are able to invest our passion for employment into a new region.”

This expansion opens new doors for people with disabilities in Tompkins County to gain career skills, receive interview and job coaching support, and secure meaningful, competitively paid employment.

“We are essentially teaching people [culinary] alchemy. Taking something from one form and transforming it into another. We are providing the foundations … skills that can’t be taken away from them. That is a privilege to me,” said vocational service coordinator Steven Hurst.

Unity House has been helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment for more than 35 years. We partner with people who want to work and with employers who need help. Our services are free to both job seekers and businesses. Wage subsidies may be available to reduce employer costs. Contact us to learn more: unityhouse.org/programs-and-services/employment-services