Employment Programs
Our Employment Program provide adults with Down syndrome an opportunity to build skills, be creative, and engage with the community. Questions? Feel free to reach out to Don Williams, at: don@gatewaydsa.org • 314-710-3603
3•21 Coffee Program
Program participants help label and package our delicious coffee and refreshing iced tea, thanks to our partnership with local roaster, Dubuque Coffee Company. Their support has played a key role in expanding our offerings at the Pop-Up Marketplace.
And of course, if you’re enjoying great coffee or tea, you’ll need the perfect cup! With guidance from our partner, Elaine Burns, our team hand-paints unique, one-of-a-kind cups – each a true work of art.
Ella & Ollie Popcorn
We are proud to partner with this local, family-owned business located just across the river in Belleville, IL.
Ella & Ollie Signature Popcorn is an heirloom variety offering superior quality, taste and nutrition over the more common hybridized varieties. Heirloom means that it has had the same genetics for a minimum of 50 years and not been crossed with another popcorn. Modern hybrids may offer better yields but they do not compare to heirloom with quality taste and nutrition.
We offer 28oz jars and 12oz. sample-size bags in both White and Yellow kernels. Click the online store button below for more info.
Pop Up Marketplace
Our 3•21 Coffee and Pop-Up Marketplace provide hands-on training and learning, offering adults with Down syndrome meaningful opportunities to develop job skills.
We use the Pop Up Marketplace events to continue the training and development. The team helps display, present and sell the items to customers, resulting in improved execution and retention for sorting, organizing, labeling and customer service skills.
Click on the Online Store button below to see our entire collection. Need it fast? We can ship your order anywhere by USPS Priority Mail!
Special Announcement: we are in talks with entrepreneurs with Down syndrome to enhance and grow our product selection! Stay tuned for more exciting information coming soon.
For more information, please contact Don at: don@gatewaydsa.org • 314-710-3603.
Thanks to everyone who has supported our program! Please support our wonderful partners listed below!
Advocacy
There are easy ways for parents and caregivers to advocate for loved one’s with Down syndrome regarding employment:
1. Share the following facts about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities with a business you know.
2. Join our Corporate Advisory Board which meets quarterly by phone for networking and strategic brainstorming. Email Erin@gatewaydsa.org.
3. Ask friends and family if their businesses would consider hosting our Pop-Up Marketplace. Email Don@gatewaydsa.org for more information.
4. Share your son/daughter’s success story with us! The more we can help our members shine, the more businesses will believe that this mission is possible.
The Untapped Potential of Hiring Individuals with Down syndrome!
It is a return on investment: By hiring people with disabilities, a business can access new markets, improve productivity through innovation, reduce hiring and training costs, and increase retention.
New and exciting marketing opportunities: Customers with disabilities and their families, friends, and associates represent a trillion dollar market segment. A large number of Americans also say they prefer to patronize businesses that hire people with disabilities.
Think innovation: Employees with disabilities bring unique experiences and understanding that transform a workplace and enhance products and services. People with disabilities can help create more efficient and effective business processes, use technology in new ways to increase productivity, and stimulate new product and services development.
- To learn more, click HERE to download an insightful presentation.
More Resources
Thank you to our amazing partners who support the Ready 2 Work program!
