For Immediate Release: Putnam County Initiates Mentoring Day for Those with Disabilities

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October 16, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MaryEllen Odell

Putnam County Executive

(845) 808-1001

Putnam County Initiates Mentoring Day for Those with Disabilities

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, in collaboration with CAREERS for People with Disabilities, Inc., and the Putnam County Coordinating Council for People with Disabilities, has added another history making milestone to an already historic year for the county by declaring Wednesday, Oct. 17 as Disability Mentoring Day in Putnam County. On this day, 26 disabled individuals will have the opportunity to spend part of a work day observing County employees on their jobs.

“I can’t think of anything recently that has given me more pleasure than working with these dedicated organizations to initiate a program such as this in our county,” said Odell.

A resolution was introduced at the State of the County Address which promoted job “opportunities for students and job seekers with disabilities.”  As part of Resolution 95, which passed unanimously,, a Mentoring Day program within the county was endorsed.

“This Administration is committed to working with those with disabilities to assist them in experiencing what it could be like if they were given the opportunity to work within county government or a similar workplace environment,” said Odell. 

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?”

Having Putnam County workplace doors opened to the disabled as a teaching tool has long been a goal for CAREERS Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people with disabilities to explore various jobs in the community and learn how they can acquire the skills necessary to perform those jobs. We appreciate the County working with us to make this day possible for so many,” she said.