"When you choose a career, you have to know what it is you want to do, or else someone is going to sell you a bill of goods somewhere along the line that can do irreparable damage to your self-esteem, your sense of worth, and your stewardship of the talents that God gave you."
-From "What Color is your Parachute" Richard Nelson Bolles

At Onondaga Community Living, we seek to approach each person's dreams one by one, person by person. When you come to us requesting help in finding meaningful things to do with your day, we look at you as an individual with gifts of your own to offer the world. It is often times the starting place for everyone to be able to recognize within each other what is great about them. So we seek to find out the greatness of who you are and believe in YOU.

We hold a core belief that in our culture, work is a common value. Our services allow us to help you to explore and discover your interests and abilities. You can seek personalized volunteer opportunities, you may choose to apply for paid positions, or you may want to develop your own business. Any options can be pursued. Often times, a person's needs have to be carefully considered in order to get work that is desired. Regardless of the degree of your disability we will help you to find both the job match and the support that is necessary to meet your vocational goals.

You may need assistance in formulating or fine tuning your vocational goals; You may need support in how to develop reasonable transportation; It may be hard for you to meet new people; You may need help in learning how to feel relaxed and ready for work; You may need help in how to plan and schedule one's day; You may need help with your governmental benefits. There are many other areas that are necessary for successful employment and depending on your needs, we will be here to help you. Our goal is your goal: successful and satisfying career development.

For these reasons, a person's plans for becoming an active part of the work force or contributing member to their community through volunteering can be complicated. At OCL we seek to minimize obstacles that programs can bring that may hinder progress towards your personal dreams. We seek to have a seamless service that allows you to gain experience in the community, which will then allow you to have more opportunities to work in the community in the capacity that you desire.

By exploring and experiencing various jobs, both paid and volunteer, and by meeting new people to learn from, the ultimate goal is that each individual will find their own special place in the work force. With this, each person will fulfill their valued role in whatever it is they choose to do.

Vocational Services Mission

Onondaga Community Living's vocational services is committed to providing ongoing vocational supports to the individuals we serve. Employment opportunities shall be recognized and pursed by realizing the person's strengths, abilities, aptitudes and experiences while never loosing sight of their long term personal interests and dreams.

We achieve this by:

1. Listening to and focusing on each individual.
2. Finding jobs commensurate with the person's aptitudes, abilities, and desires, and supporting each individual according to their personal needs.
3. Helping each individual build positive relationships with co-workers and the employer.
4. Supporting each individual's effort to achieve personal fulfillment with their vocational pursuits.
   

For Job Opportunities relating to our Vocational Mission, please click here