UnityPoint Health has announced a new partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to offer a new summer program for Quad Cities area high school students with disabilities.
The four-week summer program, which begins later this month, is open to junior and senior high school students from the Davenport, Bettendorf and North Scott school districts.
Students will shadow UnityPoint Health team members and get hands-on learning opportunities in four areas of the Bettendorf hospital including housekeeping, nutrition services, materials management and labor and delivery.
The goal of the new program is to help students develop meaningful work experience and build essential skills to be successful in the workforce.
“At UnityPoint Health, we pride ourselves on building bridges for those individuals who may be overlooked for employment or those who may not receive the same opportunities as others. By the end of this program, we hope students gain more confidence and independence,” said Erick Recinos, diversity, equity and inclusion program manager, UnityPoint Health – Trinity, in a news release.
This is the first year for the new partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, an organization that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for and find quality employment.
“Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has decided to take a different approach with our summer programming this year to provide an opportunity for students to explore the world of work with one of our partners, UnityPoint Health,” said Vickie Sible, rehabilitation counselor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, in the release. “These experiences shape their vocational plans for the future and allow them to experience it with one of our great partners.”
For more information on the program, contact Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services at (563) 386-1200.
