Via is committed to providing employment options for people with disabilities. ViaWorks Small Group Employment empowers adults with disabilities to work in integrated community settings. Under the supervision of job coaches, our team works side-by-side with the employees of local businesses.
ViaWorks Small Group Employment
ViaWorks Small Group Employment helps people with disabilities enter the workforce, be a part of the community, and earn a paycheck.
What Is ViaWorks?
Is ViaWorks for Me?
ViaWorks is for people focused on getting a job in the community and interested in learning new skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. Individuals who participate are supported by an onsite coordinator and job coaches throughout each shift, and they are paid minimum wage.
Participants will be required to pursue employment through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation within the first 90 days of the program.
Sample Work Duties Include:
- Light manufacturing
- Packaging
- Skilled production
- Warehouse experience
- Clean communal spaces and private offices
- Floor care
- Trash collection and removal
- Interior window cleaning
- Stock and maintain supply rooms
Individuals Learn and Improve:
- Task completion, quality of work, and production speed
- Teamwork, accountability, and positive work habits
- A variety of job tasks
Small Group Employment Sites:
- Cigars International, Bethlehem
- Greater Valley YMCA, Easton
- Habitat for Humanity, Allentown
- Kolbe Academy, Bethlehem
- Habitat ReStore, Whitehall
- Bethlehem Emergency Shelter, Bethlehem
Ticket To Work Program
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a Ticket to Work Employment Services Provider. Click here for more information.
For more information, contact:
Kim Tracy, Director of Admissions
K.Tracy@ViaNet.Org | 610-317-8000 x461
Success Stories
Eileen
Eileen, fondly nicknamed Chippy by Via staff, was the youngest of nine children with a big extended family. She received services from Via for 38 years. For much of this time, she proudly earned a paycheck in Via’s Vocational Workshop. As her needs changed, she participated in Via’s Creative Expressions program where she produced lovely art projects and celebrated her love of music. After this was no longer possible, Via staff went to her home and took her out to access community activities. When she passed away in 2021, her family asked for donations to Via. “As a family, we are eternally grateful to Via for the outstanding care provided for our beautiful sister,” they told us in a letter.
Eileen will always be known for her compassionate heart, innate strength, and vibrant spirit. She will forever be a part of the Via family.
Kim
Kim receives services through Via’s Community Connections program and she is a valued employee in the Community Employment department. She works as the logistics coordinator and does a variety of integral tasks that help the department, and the whole agency, to run smoothly.
Kim uses her time in Community Connections to work on physical well-being. She accesses a local gym at least twice a week to ensure a healthy lifestyle. She gives back to her community by volunteering at a variety of community outlets, like a food shelter, a thrift store, and a library. Personal growth is one of her top priorities and Via’s staff is helping her explore skills that will help her to socialize with community members, increase her ability to focus, and practice conflict resolution in order to develop and maintain personal relationships.
Amanda
Amanda is confident, social, intelligent, and a great judge of character. As a young adult, Amanda struggled with moving outside of her comfort zone and exploring her independence. She enrolled in Via’s teen program and now receives support through Via’s Autism Services.
Via helped Amanda get a job with Home Depot. She lives on her own and is learning how to budget for rent, transportation, food, and activities – and even for splurges like art supplies and video games.
She works every day with her Via team to strengthen her daily living, homemaking, and interpersonal skills so it is possible for her to live independently and achieve a high level of success.
