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Job & Life Skills Training

Welcome to The Gateways Vocational Training Program for Adults with Disabilities!

Program Structure:

Our program is all about community and peer support. You’ll be part of a friendly and welcoming community where everyone helps each other grow. With support from your peers**, you’ll feel right at home as you embark on your journey with us. 

We partner with community organizations and businesses to provide an inclusive, real life setting for adults with disabilities to train and hone important vocational skills. The program is open ended and allows trainees to train until they feel comfortable pursuing supported employment outside of Gateways. 

Training, Not Employment:

Our program is all about training, not direct employment. We’re here to help you learn and develop new skills in a supportive environment. Whether you’re exploring new interests or honing existing talents, our program is designed to help you grow without the pressure of employment.

**Individualized Training/Peer Support:

We use the term “peer support” instead of “job coach” to reflect our unique training model. Peer support involves individuals who accompany trainees during all training tasks and at all training sites. These peer supporters are chosen and hired by the trainees’ parents or guardians, and they are thoroughly vetted by Sha’arim + Gateways before starting. Peer support is funded through the trainees’ waiver services fiscal agency, not by Sha’arim.

Fee:

Worried about the cost? Don’t be! Our services can be built into existing CDCS waiver budgets or private pay, so you can participate without worrying about fees. We can help you navigate the waiver system to access funding for vocational training. It’s our way of making sure everyone has access to the support they need.

Ready to join us? We can’t wait to welcome you into our community and support you on your journey!

Become a Gateways Trainee:

  1. Get in Touch: You can reach out to Gateways through Shira (shira@shaarim.org) or Chana (cshagalow@shaarim.org), or contact Sha’arim directly. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
  2. Public School Transition Partners: If you are already enrolled in a transition program through the Public School system, you may be able to request Gateways as a training site. We partner with some Transition Programs throughout the greater Minneapolis area. 
  3. Intake Process: Once you connect with us, we’ll guide you through our intake process to get you started on your trainee journey.

Trainee Journey:

  1. Pre-Training: You’ll begin your journey at the Gateways office, in an initial orientation phase with peer support before diving into formal training.
  2. Discover Your Potential: Together with our Training and Curriculum Specialist, we’ll identify your interests, strengths, and areas for growth to tailor your training experience.
  3. On-Site Job Skills Training: You’ll start hands-on training at partner sites to develop job skills that match your interests and goals.
  4. Flexible Enrollment: Our enrollment is open-ended, allowing you to take the skills you’ve learned to potential job opportunities whenever you’re ready.

Join us on this exciting journey of growth and development! We can’t wait to see where it takes you.

*Gateways Vocational Training, under the auspices of Sha’arim, is a vocational training program. All participation is voluntary and for training purposes