Serving Families in the Northern New Jersey area forover45Years
“ Our mission for both companies is to support adults who are differently abled with the ultimate goal of hiring these adults,” Castro said, noting that the organization is still in its infancy.“ In the meantime, while wearen’ table to hire anybody yet, we are able to work with these adult students from various adult programs throughout Bergen.”
The Just aTaste kitchen is set up with the students in mind. Its accommodations include step-by-step instructions near the cash register and in the kitchen. Castro learns something new every day with her workers, she said, as each brings different skills and personalities to the bakery.
“ I think‘ if this person is having difficulty with this task, what can Ido to make iteasier for her?’” she said.“ Maybe we can add adifferent seating option, put new signage orhave picture messaging. Our kitchen is set up very specifically and labeled very specifically. We want the adults to not only succeed at the tasks but also interact with each other tobuild socialization skills that can also be challenging.”
“ It’ scool to see their confidence,” she added.“ Youcan see them interacting with the customers, and they are so proud of themselves. That’ san unexpected element we’ re beginning to see.”
Castro hopes her example will encourage other employers to be more inclusive. Her goal for Carson’ s Cookie Dough and Just aTaste isn’ t to have employees who work there for 20 years; she wants to be alaunchpad that helps students gain skills to work at other businesses as well.
“ The unemployment rate is over 80 % for adult who are differently abled, with autism, and it’ ssuch astaggering number,” she said.“ I thought,‘ People don’ t want to hire someone just because they have autism?’ Isee how hard my son works and how hard his classmates work. Ithink this hasn’ t been on anybody’ s radar. When you do realize it, you think,‘ What steps could Idotoadd these individuals to our workforce?’”
“ These individuals are such a delight,” she said.“ They make anybody smile. The town of Fair Lawn has been absolutely incredible. We’ ve had avery warm welcome across the board.” n
Serving Families in the Northern New Jersey area forover45Years
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