Employment Services

Little Friends offers a variety of Employment Services to meet the unique needs of the individuals we serve.

Connecting Adults with Communities

Connecting Adults with Communities bridges the gap between post-secondary neurodiverse adults and competitive integrated employment within underrepresented sectors of employment like technology, data analyst, logistics, manufacturing, and more. Through experiential learning, our program instills confidence, creating independence!

This program’s goal is to prepare each individual for competitive employment through individualized assessment, extensive career exploration, and skills development leading to on-the-job training. Throughout this individual development program, young adults will gain the skills needed to secure and maintain meaningful competitive employment within their communities.

For more information, contact Program Director, Cassidy Kaput , 630.929.2725 or attend an informational open house at our Warrenville campus, 27545 Diehl Road: Wednesday 4/2 at 5pm, Friday 4/4 at 1 pm, Wednesday 4/16 at 5pm, and Friday 4/18 at 1pm

REGISTRATION FORM

Brush up on the skills you will need to succeed as you navigate the road to employment! These weekly sessions will focus on the different Employment Readiness Skills, including communication and self-advocacy in the workplace. Be prepared with the tools to help you succeed.

Interested in pursuing a career in supply chain or logistics? Want to work in a manufacturing center or warehouse? Need a confidence boost or competitive edge? Earn an industry-recognized certificate in supply chain logistics. Join our Supply Chain Management Certification program.

Have fun exploring jobs in a safe and enriching virtual environment! During our Virtual Reality Career Exploration workshop, you will jump into experiential learning using VR and participate in career assessments and activities to spark your interest in job areas you never knew were possible.

This course is perfect if you are interested in a customer-facing role, whether in retail or another industry. You will learn skills to help develop effective strategies to engage customers, assess customer needs, and close sales. Build a resume and navigate job searches specific to Customer Service & Sales.

Get ready to jumpstart your career with our Career Kickoff Workshop! Over the week, we will cover everything from setting career goals and writing a standout resume to crushing interviews and navigating job offers. Whether you are just starting your career or need a refresher, you will gain the tools and confidence to land that dream job!

Gear up with the skills that work! Join our FREE Skills Work Manufacturing Camp this summer to prepare for a job in manufacturing! Prepare your resume, learn safety norms, and practice communication skills focused on what is needed in the manufacturing sector.

Supported Employment

Little Friends Supported Employment Program helps adults with disabilities find jobs in businesses throughout their community and provides training, in the form of job coaching, to assist the individual to learn the skills to become independent at their job. Our staff helps individuals identify suitable employment opportunities, looking at a range of factors such as interests, skills, past work experience, and available transportation. Each person is then assisted in finding a job that suits their interests and abilities.

Once an individual is hired, staff work closely with employers so that they can comfortably and efficiently train their new hire. Individuals in our Supported Employment Program work in a variety of settings, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, manufacturing plants, offices, and more.

Career counseling
Job search and application assistance
Job interview preparation
Job coaching and follow up services
Trial job assessments
Vocational advocacy and counseling
Transportation training

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) funds these types of services. To obtain a referral to our supported employment program, contact your local DRS office or visit www.dhs.state.il.us/drs. Under the referral source, chose community provider and list our contact information.

Ken’s Krew

Little Friends is proud to represent Ken’s Krew in Chicago’s western collar counties (DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall), offering job placement, training, and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities seeking employment in Customer Service positions.

Founded in 1997 by parents of young adults with disabilities, Ken’s Krew shares the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to enter the workforce, earn a fair wage, and reach their full potential—a mission that aligns with the values of Little Friends. Since its inception, Ken’s Krew has been supported by Home Depot, creating competitive in-store employment opportunities for over 900 young adults.

This partnership allows Little Friends to further assist neurodiverse individuals in our region by providing them with valuable training and employment opportunities.

For additional information, please contact local Little Friends Vocational Coordinator Craig Perryman at cperryman@lilfriends.com 630.355.6533, or Program Director Cassidy Kaput, ckaput@lilfriends.com

Learn more about Ken’s Krew’s mission and program

Recruitment – We network with local school districts, state employment agencies, and other service organizations to identify potential candidates.

Assessment – Through a multi-step screening and assessment process, our vocational coordinators determine whether a candidate is a good fit for one of our employment opportunities.

Training – Our vocational coordinators spend a minimum of 72 hours training each candidate one-on-one and on-site to ensure preparedness and comfortability.

Employment – Upon successful completion of our training, candidates transition into their workplaces and become part-time associates.

Support – Our vocational coordinators monitor the progress of each associate and work closely with store management to provide support throughout.

Eligibility Requirements –The applicant must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Successful completion of diploma/certificate program, and/or transition work program/prior work experience.
Be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability (with documentation).
Seizure-free for one year.
Have a desire and ability to work independently.
Have an existing support system.
If required by the employer, submit to drug testing to the extent permitted under federal, state and local law.
Be responsible for transportation to and from the workplace.
Adhere to employer dress code and grooming standards.
Ability to communicate with co-workers and customers.
Time recognition awareness (time punches, breaks, task management)
Adhere to employer policies & procedures (including all safety standards)
Please see additional considerations here