Tommy Nobis Center’s Early Youth Employment Services (EYES) Program empowers students with disabilities to pursue their career goals

By Dave Ward, President & CEO, Tommy Nobis Center

Tommy Nobis Center (TNC) is passionate about investing in the future of our youth. That’s why we developed our Early Youth Employment Services (EYES) program. Whether in a classroom setting within a local school, at TNC during our summer sessions or virtually, students are engaged in workplace readiness training, job exploration and other activities that prepare them for the world of work.

One of those students is Quintavious. Born an only child on the autism spectrum, he faced his share of challenges. When he reached his senior year in high school, he and his family were confronted with the reality that many students with disabilities face—after graduation, then what? That’s when Tommy Nobis Center was able to help. During his final semester, Quintavious had the opportunity to enroll in EYES at South Cobb High School. This proved to be a great first step on his journey to employment. He participated in classes on job readiness skills, effective communication, goals and decision making, time management, self-advocacy, and proper work behaviors. After completing the program and graduating from high school, it was a smooth transition to TNC for additional services and an individualized plan was created to meet his specific needs.

Quintavious eagerly completed each phase of preparation and became equipped with the tools he needed to embark on his journey to a bright future. Quintavious and his Program Manager worked together to find the perfect job opportunity at Whitfield Academy as a steward. He was able to experience the job firsthand to ensure it was a good fit for him, and after being hired, he received job coaching to overcome any initial challenges. Quintavious takes his job very seriously and loves working at the academy.

Through the EYES program, Quintavious was able to find the skills and confidence he needed to begin his journey to employment. Each service continued to build upon the foundation that began through EYES and empowered him to reach his fullest potential.

There are many more students like Quintavious that need additional support to transition from school to employment. In fact, in October 2020, the Georgia Department of Education reported nearly 220,000 student enrollments with a known disability. The National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs identified 1 in 5 youth as having special needs, with the highest prevalence of needs among adolescents–the population specifically served through EYES. The need is great and Tommy Nobis Center’s EYES program is designed to provide a path to meet the need.    

About EYES:
Tommy Nobis Center’s Early Youth Employment Services (EYES) provide vocational training and education to students with disabilities as they become empowered to pursue their career goals. To learn more about the impact of EYES and hear directly from the students and staff, click here.

About Tommy Nobis Center:
Since 1977, Tommy Nobis Center has helped people with disabilities find independence and workplace success by empowering people through employment. We envision supportive communities where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to work. Learn more at TommyNobisCenter.org or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.