In an initiative to empower the youth with disabilities, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Labor & Industry Nancy A. Walker paid a visit to the Philabundance Community Kitchen in Philadelphia, a site where students with disabilities gain practical work experience. Walker's tour was part of the MY Work program, an effort by the state's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) that provides high school students with disabilities the chance to work and learn within their communities. The program is also part of a wider push by Governor Josh Shapiro's administration to further invest resources into supporting the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
During her visit, Secretary Walker commented on the program's profound influence, saying, "Every summer, I'm inspired by the determination, talent, and enthusiasm of the students in the MY Work program. This visit to Philabundance highlights the impact MY Work is making not only on the students participating, but also on thousands of local children who are able to have breakfast and lunch thanks to the work being done at the organization’s community kitchen," according to a statement obtained by the Pennsylvania government website. This program doesn't just strive to build practical skills in its participants, but it goes further to instill a sense of confidence and purpose by providing them with tangible opportunities to both work and to meaningfully contribute to their communities.
The MY Work program comes as a beacon of hope, reflective of Shapiro's proposed 2025-26 budget, which plans to infuse OVR with an additional $5 million investment. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, known for a broad range of services that support the disabled in their employment journey, will significantly benefit from this investment. These services, which include vocational counseling, goal setting, and job placement, are tailored to assist individuals in securing a stable position in the competitive labor market.
The increased funding is expected to support the continuation of the MY Work summer program and strengthen other essential services provided by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). Governor Shapiro believes the investment will play a key role in expanding access to meaningful employment opportunities and improving future prospects for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, as highlighted in the Pennsylvania government's news release.
