Work-Able, Inc. received certification as a non-profit corporation in the Virgin Islands on January 27, 1989, and was later granted 501(c) (3) Federal non-profit status. As the perennial supported employment agency in the Virgin Islands, our Mission is “tobe a model community-based workforce development agency that provides and supports “person-centered” employment, career and entrepreneurial services for youth and adultjob seekers, especially individuals with disabilities, and others with significant barriers to self-sufficiency. Work-Able endeavors to provide enhanced opportunities for all citizens of the Virgin Islands with barriers, and their families through advocacy, community education, direct services, and customized supports; to help these individuals attain and maintain fulfilled independent status within their own communities.”
Having evolved into a territory-wide service provider with operations in both Districts, Work-Able has demonstrated competency in the use of the “person-centered”, and the “job coach-place-train” models of supported employment for persons with the most severe physical, mental and cognitive disabilities; including persons with blindness, deafness, mental retardation, and mental illness. Additionally, career exploration, mentoring, on-the-job assessments and job shadowing experiences are provided to transitioning students (ages 14 –21) with high support needs (disabilities, 504 plans, low-income, foster care and pre-adjudicated juveniles), and their families, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Disabilities & Rehabilitation Services (VR), the Department of Education (DOE), Division of Special Education, andthe Departments of Labor, and Health (Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services).
Work-Able adopted and has facilitated the research-based prevention program, “Creating Lasting Family Connections” in 2006, to ensure parental involvement with the mentoring and transitioning of ‘at-risk’ youth. In 2011, the executive director, Gwendolyn T. Powell, was invited to serve as an inaugural member of the NPA - Region II Regional Health Equity Council, and was subsequently elected to serve as a co-chair. During the summer of 2013, Work-Able, Inc. collaborated with NPA-RHEC II to conduct a three week (pilot) Summer Health Institute for youth ages 14 - 15, adapting portions of the Public Health Advocacy Curriculum developed by the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program at Stanford School of Medicine.
