{"id":83296,"date":"2016-03-22T18:07:19","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T22:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=83296"},"modified":"2021-04-15T17:34:21","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T21:34:21","slug":"businesses-look-to-create-employment-for-intellectual-developmentally-disabled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2016\/03\/22\/businesses-look-to-create-employment-for-intellectual-developmentally-disabled\/","title":{"rendered":"Businesses Look to Create Employment for Intellectual, Developmentally Disabled"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\"Businesses<\/a>Nashville, Tenn — If it seems like Leo Kennedy is always on the move, he is.<\/p>\n

Kennedy says working at Home Depot has helped him get into shape but the benefits really go far beyond that for someone dealing with intellectual and developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n

“Mainly it’s to make my parents proud,” said Kennedy.<\/p>\n

The 24 year old got the Home Depot job through the Best Buddies Jobs Program.<\/p>\n

“It’s an income. It’s a sense of pride. It’s a sense of independence,” said program supervisor Laura Berry.<\/p>\n

Berry says the need for programs like her is actually greater now than it used to be.<\/p>\n

Programs that once offered separate job opportunities for people like Kennedy have shut down in Tennessee.<\/p>\n

Statistically more than 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are living unemployed.<\/p>\n

“So there aren’t a lot of options for them unless they go into community employment and we’re helping create that employment,” said Berry.<\/p>\n

Kennedy is among the first 8 participants.<\/p>\n

He’s done so well he’s now full time and his boss utilizes him to help new employees.<\/p>\n

“Leo is a great coach, job coach, just watching him work,” said Home Depot Manager Sheila Sites.<\/p>\n

FOX 17 News Nashville<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nashville, Tenn — If it seems like Leo Kennedy is always on the move, he is. 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