Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential

Our Stories

LEAP helps youth with disabilities land his first job at Giant Eagle!

Close-up photo of grocery worker holding peaches.

Tom, one of LEAP’s dedicated employment specialists, recently helped a consumer earn his first job!


Tom first met the consumer when he participated in LEAP’s Summer Youth Work Experience (SYWE) program for high school students. Their partnership continued when Tom served as the consumer’s job development coach, helping him strengthen his career-readiness skills.


While participating in the SYWE program, the consumer got the opportunity to explore work environments in which he hoped to secure employment in the future. Despite positive feedback from his participation in the SYWE program, the consumer remained anxious about obtaining employment. Through LEAP’s job development program, Tom helped the consumer gain confidence and further develop his problem-solving skills.


Thanks in part to Tom’s application and interview training and confidence-building efforts, the consumer is thriving in a stocking role at a local Giant Eagle!


“The consumer has come a long way since first accessing LEAP’s employment services,” said Tom. “While he was nervous and apprehensive at first, we were able to refocus that energy and his attention on opportunities for learning from experiences and participating in the self-improvement process. I’m proud of his growth and success."


Through LEAP’s career-readiness programming, employment specialists like Tom partner with consumers and employers to ensure an effective transition for all. The consumer has adapted to his role so well that’s he’s working without Tom’s on-site support. We are so excited for him and wish him continued career success!

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Brief about LEAP Employment services:

    • The Summer Youth Work Experience program (SYWE) supports youth with disabilities transition from high school to employment, providing short, job-like experiences.

    • The Job Development program offers a systematic approach that pairs trained employment specialists with persons with disabilities to help them secure full-time employment by proving job-preparedness training as well as identifying and contacting potential employers.