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Critical Pathways to Education and Employment:
Schwab care goes beyond physical and emotional health. For many of our patients this
may mean facing a new life in which they’ll have to choose something other than physical work.
In response to the needs of our population, the Critical Pathways to Education and Employment program
was developed in 1997. The Critical Pathways program is available to all Schwab patients who are disabled
or newly injured, whether by accident, violence, or illness. Through a process of Life Planning
Coordination, the program assists participants in achieving basic life skills, attaining basic literacy,
completing a high-school education or its equivalent, determining their career interest, and preparing
for college or university enrollment. This is achieved through case management, one-on-one tutoring,
group learning, referrals to community based educational programs, and linking clients to Schwab’s
Disability Resource Center and newly established computer lab.
The program has recently expanded to identify the vocational rehabilitation needs of our participants.
Many of our patients have limited work experience and are unable to return to positions they held prior
to acquiring their disability. This program assists with identifying career interests and referrals to
community training programs. While employment rates for people with disabilities are generally low, our
population struggles with multiple pre-injury factors such as limited education, poverty, and race that
predispose them to unemployment following their disability. This program has allowed participants the
opportunity to pursue their educational goals in a supportive and non-threatening environment and gives
them the skills to enter the competitive job market.
Additional Activities offered include
Art:
Every Thursday afternoon, from 1:00 - 3:00, Victor Velez from Douglas Park brings
painting supplies and his expertise to Schwab. Everybody is welcome to paint and draw.
Writer's Circle:
Every Tuesday writers gather at Schwab to share their work and improve their
writing skills. Each Writer's Circle meeting includes a sharing and feedback session, a
mini-lesson on pertinent writing topics, and silent writing time. Everybody is welcome.
Through peer editing, the authors share their work with other learners, soliciting reflection and
discussion.
Critical Pathways to Education and Employment is funded in part by:
The Sisyphus Foundation
Voices: The Teen Giving Circle
Partner Agencies:
Literacy Works:http://www.litworks.org/Writing%20workshop%20Active.htm
Carole Robertson Center for Learning http://www.crcl.net/programs.htm
Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS): http://www.dhs.state.il.us/ors/
El Valor http://www.elvalor.org/news/index.html
Jewish Vocational Services http://www.jvschicago.org/
Cares Chicago http://www.careschicago.org/
Anixter Center http://www.anixter.org/
Contact information:
Tel: 773-522-5869
F: (773)-522-6650
Email: extendedservices@sinai.org |
