EmployAbility Celebrate 75 Years of Creating Opportunities

Two chefs in burgundy aprons and white headbands pose outside a restaurant entrance, smiling and making peace signs.

For 75 years, Savannah-based EmployAbility has helped individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills, pursue employment and live more independently. For much of that history, GVRA has been a partner in that work. Today, that partnership continues to create opportunities for approximately 500 individuals across coastal Georgia.

From Pre-Employment Transition Services and Supported Employment to Community Access and enrichment programs, EmployAbility meets individuals where they are and helps them take their next step toward greater independence.

A Partnership Rooted in History

A man wearing a baseball cap sits at a table and smiles while holding a small framed architectural model labeled “Savannah.” Behind him are office blinds and a window.

EmployAbility’s connection with vocational rehabilitation dates back more than six decades. In 1960, vocational rehabilitation helped establish the Savannah Occupational Training Center, which appears to have been the first center of its kind for adults with intellectual disabilities in Georgia.

The center helped individuals develop work skills, evaluate their vocational potential and prepare for employment. That early collaboration laid the foundation for a partnership that continues more than 60 years later.

Today, EmployAbility and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) share a continued commitment to helping individuals with disabilities build skills, pursue meaningful employment and achieve greater independence.

As EmployAbility celebrates its 75th anniversary, that longstanding partnership remains an important part of the organization’s history and its future.

Services That Create Opportunities

EmployAbility serves individuals throughout coastal Georgia through two primary areas of service which includes workforce development and enrichment services.

  • Workforce Development provides Pre-Employment Transition Services for students ages 14–22, employment preparation, job development, supported employment and extended services to help individuals obtain and maintain meaningful employment.
  • Enrichment Services help individuals build independence and life skills while participating in their communities, volunteering, socializing and pursuing recreational and personal interests through community access and other programs.

Employment services remain a significant part of EmployAbility’s work, particularly Supported Employment and Pre-Employment (PRE-ETS) Transition Services. Its Pre-ETS program has grown as the organization has expanded into additional school systems and communities throughout coastal Georgia.

At the same time, EmployAbility is seeing increased demand for Community Access services. As the organization prepares to expand day services beyond Savannah, the response from families has highlighted the need for meaningful daytime opportunities that promote independence, community participation, life skills and social connection.

A Partnership That Reaches Beyond Employment

The man wearing the black shirt is Kenneth at Servepro along with EmployAbility Job Coach Alina.
The man wearing the black shirt is Kenneth at Servepro along with EmployAbility Job Coach Alina.

“GVRA is extremely important to EmployAbility and the individuals we serve. We see it as a collaborative relationship built around a shared goal: helping individuals with disabilities prepare for employment, find meaningful work and build greater independence,” said EmployAbility CEO Brendan Ferrara.

EmployAbility is especially grateful to work with GVRA District Manager Lee Davis and his team, whose accessibility, collaboration and willingness to communicate and problem-solve have strengthened the partnership.

Through Pre-Employment Transition Services and Job Placement services, GVRA has also helped EmployAbility build relationships with schools, families, employers and community partners throughout coastal Georgia.

With support from GVRA Transition Liaison Heather Wolf and others, those relationships have helped EmployAbility establish a presence in communities it may not have otherwise reached and have created opportunities to expand Enrichment Services into some of those same communities.

The impact of the partnership, therefore, extends beyond employment services. It has helped EmployAbility strengthen its community connections and expand the range of opportunities available to individuals and families throughout coastal Georgia.

Reaching Students Earlier

A technician in a blue work shirt sits at a desk in a workshop, wearing blue gloves and smiling while adjusting a green machine; papers and tools are scattered around.

One of the most meaningful ways EmployAbility is making an impact is by connecting with students before they graduate from high school.

Through Pre-Employment Transition Services, students can identify their strengths and interests while developing workplace readiness, communication, self-advocacy and job-search skills. They can also gain practical experience that helps prepare them for the transition from school to employment.

EmployAbility has seen the impact firsthand through two former Pre-ETS students who are now working at St. Joseph’s/Candler through the Project SEARCH program.

One student initially had limited self-advocacy skills and was hesitant to speak up for herself. Through workplace readiness and self-advocacy lessons, she had opportunities to practice communicating her needs and preferences while building confidence.

Over time, EmployAbility watched her come out of her shell. Today, she not only advocates for herself but has also developed the confidence to advocate for others.

Her story illustrates the value of reaching students early and giving them the tools and experiences they need to recognize their strengths and prepare for the future.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Opportunities Across Coastal Georgia

As EmployAbility celebrates 75 years of service, the organization is also looking ahead to its next chapter.

EmployAbility has expanded its Workforce Development services throughout coastal Georgia and is preparing to bring Community Access services to additional communities. The goal is not simply to grow, but to make quality services more accessible to individuals and families closer to home including those in rural communities where opportunities and resources may be limited.

The organization also wants employers and community leaders to recognize the important role disability services play in a community’s workforce infrastructure.

When an individual with a disability receives the support needed to prepare for and obtain employment, communities gain another talented employee. When meaningful daytime services allow a parent or caregiver to remain in the workforce rather than leave employment because appropriate support is unavailable, families and communities benefit as well.

After 75 years, EmployAbility continues to believe that communities are stronger when everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

With partners like GVRA, EmployAbility is continuing that mission one individual, one family and one community at a time.