Supported Employment
Avenues to Independent Living assists and supports people with varied abilities. We help you find and keep meaningful employment. Self determination is about choices in your living and work environment. Supported employment involves individualized job search and systematic methods for assuring job retention. Avenues will assist with Self-Directed Services, job search assistance, resume building, job skills, job coaching and supported employment.
Avenues provides Long Term Follow Along!
*Call for more information regarding DDD funding or if enrolled as a DVRS recipient.*
Roads to Employment
Meet Wendy!
She will tell you what and why we do what we do!
Director of Supported Employment, came to Avenues to Independent Living with a wealth of business and training experience accumulated over the course of 35 years. While attending college for nursing, Wendy worked full time for a Photographer’s Studio and Color Lab. At the age of 19, Wendy became an entrepreneur and purchased, Gemini Color Lab, the second 1- Hour Photo Lab in the State of NJ. As owner-operator of a successful small business in Cumberland County, she trained many employees to become professional color printer technicians over the course of 13 years. Later, Wendy sold Gemini Color Lab and worked for Farmer’s and Merchant’s Nat’l Bank as a Customer Service Representative, specializing in new accounts and consumer lending; obtaining a general Banking Certificate from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Afterwards, Wendy continued to polish her business experience once again, working in sales and customer relations for Zales Corporation. After that, Wendy began working as an Instructional Aid for Vineland Public Schools in SLD and Autistic Resource Room, and remained there for 16 years. Her time spent working with the Autistic population at Vineland High School in the Job Sampling/Training Program fostered her desire to continue beyond the school level and enter the job market community, to make strides in finding gainful employment for the disabled adult population. Wendy came onboard to Avenues to Independent Living, initially, as a part time Human Resources Assistant, but found she had a passion to continue in Supported Employment. Her attributes as an experienced business person, trainer, and job coach compliment the clients she works with and bring valued employer/employee matches to the community.
DVR services provided in the following counties:
Atlantic
Cumberland
Cape May
Gloucester
Salem
Supported Employment Employer Satisfaction Survey
Below are links to our Employee Satisfaction Survey.
Supported Employment Team
Jennifer Ries
Supported Employment Specialist, came to Avenues to Independent Living with 30 years of experience in supporting individuals with disabilities both in and out of the classroom setting. Upon graduation, at the age of 18, Jennifer accepted a position with Bancroft School in Haddonfield as a Teacher’s Assistant working with a population of Autistic, Behavioral and Cognitively disabled students ranging in ages from 17-21. After many years of supporting students in the classroom setting, Jennifer accepted a position within Bancroft as a Supported Employment Specialist/Job Coach. Jennifer’s passion for assisting individuals to obtain gainful employment within their community is something she has continued to support 30 plus years later. In 2017, after 20 years of service with Bancroft School, Jennifer moved on to accept a job coaching position with PRIDE Industries based in Roseville, California. PRIDE Industries is a non-profit organization creating jobs for individuals with disabilities ranging from Cognitive, Hearing impairments, Physical, PTSD, and Mental Health. Through PRIDE Industries, Jennifer supported clients on a military installation Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Jennifer ensured that all client accommodations were being met while supporting individuals to take care of ground maintenance, facility maintenance and custodial maintenance. During Jennifer’s 4 years with PRIDE Industries, she was part of recruiting for their Employee Resource Group, going on to volunteer as the secretary for the Veteran’s ERG. Jennifer’s dedication to supported employment didn’t stop with PRIDE Industries. In 2021, Jennifer went on to accept a Supported Employment Specialist position with Avenues to Independent Living. Jennifer’s experience has continued to allow her to successfully network with potential employers, place and train clients in their community according to their goals and skill sets. Jennifer’s passion for this field is relentless. Make it stand out.
Dominique Hyder
Skills Trainer & Director of New Business Development
Dominique Hyder (Nicki) has been a licensed educator, trainer, & coach in the field of Special Education with focuses on behavior management and life skills development for the past 21 years. With a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and various professional certifications and accommodations along with working as a coordinator and facilitator of vocationally focused programs for the past 10 years, Nick has honed her skills and refined her expertise in areas of: behavior modification, vocational skill building, career education & counseling, supported employment, job development, person-centered planning, advocacy, curriculum development, and more.
She shares her knowledge and experience with an entertaining dexterity in the many trainings and presentations she has created. Nicki gives hope & encouragement, while facilitating for successful outcomes to the individuals for whom she serves and their families with her one-to-one services and person-center approaches. Nicki’s professional associations stretch far due to her polished networking talents, and her ability to forge strong and enduring relationships with a multitude of Southern NJ employers, agencies, organizations has shown to be invaluable to the population of “uniquely-able” individuals for whom she serves. Nicki’s willingness to connect with and work for each individual as if they were her first priority makes those for whom she connects (from disabled clients to CEOs) know her commitment and feel her earnestness.atever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Check out some of our hard workers!!
Zach!
Zach is one of Avenues’ first and most longstanding DDD consumers. He has received job coaching from Avenues and now works independently at Shop Rite. He is beloved by all his workmates and enjoys his job as a bagger.
Shantel!
Shantel is a DVRS consumer employed by Marshall’s as a Backstock Associate for a little over a year. She is pictured here holding up her very first paycheck!
Shantel’s employer speaks highly of her work performance and she recently was recognized and awarded a store gift card as the Employee of the Month.
Shantel said, “Thank you, Wendy.”
Hassan!
Hassan is a DVRS consumer. He has is employed by Marshall’s as a “High Touch Cleaner” since July 2020. Wendy has been told that both his performance and attendance are very good and that they are very pleased to have him on board.
Hassan said, “I like working at Marshall’s. I am glad for the help I got from Wendy and Avenues.”
Amy!
Amy L. (Lubin), a 27 year old DVRS consumer and mother of one re-entering the workforce after having cared for her mother stricken with a long-term illness. Amy worked diligently with her Job Coach, Wendy, and received 3 interviews and 2 job offers. Amy accepted the job offer from Wawa. Amy works the Deli and Custom Coffee station like a pro and her employer reports that they are very pleased with her level of commitment to her work and that she is a valued member of their team.
Amy said, “ I don’t know where I would be without Wendy. It’s a good feeling. I love my job! It’s going to be a good Christmas with my daughter!”
Employer and Business Services
Avenues to Independent Living provides personalized service to business and industry by referring job applicants who will meet your qualifications.
*Recruiter Assistance
*Screened Applicants
*ADA Consultation
*Employment Support
*Follow up on all Services
***No Fees Involved***