Recommendation to receive and file a report from the Disabled Resource Center on what services they provide to their clients through Employment Services program and how many people with disabilities have gained employment through their services in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Great. Thank you. And let's give our commissioners a round of applause for the work that they do on these very important issues. And so we're going to move on to item 17, which is related. And so, Madam Clerk. Communication from Councilwoman Gonzalez, Councilmember Muranga, Vice Mayor Richardson, recommendation to receive and file a report from the Disabled Resource Center on what services they provide to their clients through Employment Services Program. Councilwoman Gonzalez. Yes. So in recognition of the month that we're in the National Disability and Employment Awareness Month and for all the amazing work that everyone does both in the city and also our Disabled Resource Center and all of our advocates here, commissioners as well, I wanted to also thank them for their work, but also find out more information about this amazing resource and organization. I think you should be applauded for everything you do for so many individuals who happen to have disabilities. And I think it's the time is now to talk about these things and give us a better understanding of everything. So I'd like to welcome Delores Nathan, the executive director of formerly of the Disabled Resource Center, to sort. Of. Would you mind taking a seat? I actually not not during this item, sir, but thank you, Councilwoman Gonzalez. Yes, thank you. I'd like to welcome you up, Delores. I know you have a presentation, and we'd love to hear your words and a little bit more about the Disabled Resource Center. Thank you for being here. Thank you. Here I am again. It's such an honor. I am the executive director at Disabled Resource Center in Long Beach. And it's an honor to to represent my board of directors, my wonderful staff, our volunteers and interns. And some of you might not know all of the work we do, but since 1976, we have supported and empowered the most vulnerable groups, including veterans at risk youth, senior citizens, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities of all ages, and those recovering from addictions. We are just one of 28 independent living centers in the state of California. We are the only agency, I believe, in the Greater Long Beach area that works with all disabilities, all ages, all incomes. And we don't charge for our services because it is the National Disability Employment Month. Mr. Gonzalez, Councilwoman, thank you so much for this. I'd like to spotlight on our employment services program, but first I want to. Quote My friend Al Buck, he's a former Laker, a Laker scout and a wheelchair user. And he says independence is having a job. Well, what does that mean when, according to the United States Department of Labor, the unemployment. Persons with disabilities is 42.5% higher among people with disabilities than those that don't have a disability. And to further elaborate. 70% of working age people with disabilities are not working. Even though most of them want jobs in the independence. The the the thing that we're doing at my center, we have 16 programs and they include housing assisting the government with government benefits for other job placement. And we work with over 2000 people per year throughout Los Angeles County and parts of Orange County. All of our staff of 16 have a disability and more than a majority of my board does. Darcy's employment services include. We have the Ticket to Work program. We also have an IMO you with the Department of Rehabilitation where they refer all of the people that are looking for employment to go through our employment services program and work with our job developers. DRC has another program that we have that really help people that are looking for employment, and that is an eight week training course that leads to a certificate of completion. After completing this class and getting their certificate, graduates have an opportunity to volunteer at DRC and to receive real work experience. You know, I used to tell my get my kids. The best way to get a job is to get your foot in the door by volunteering. And we practice what we preach because seven of our staff of 16 started off as volunteers. So I know there is a time to talk about all the other 16 programs that we have that help get people jobs. But thank you so much for inviting us here and recognizing us this evening. It is such an honor. Thank you again. Thank you so much. Vice Mayor Richardson. Oh, I still wanted to just think. Councilman Gonzalez. Quick. Thank you, Mayor. So, Dolores, thank you so very much for being here again. I really appreciate your time and just letting us know a little bit more about the DRC and a huge thank you to you and your entire team for the continuous efforts and providing services that promote independence and employment in the disability community of Long Beach and surrounding cities. And we're really grateful to have you in our city. The presentation that was just done by our mayor and the celebration, of course, particularly with is important to the First District. And I say that because I have right behind me Jennifer Kumi AMA, who I praise every single day because she's just an incredible employee of mine, someone who embodies an impeccable person inside and out. She's the owner of Miss Wheelchair California and the vice president of Miss Wheelchair USA. And so we've made adjustments up on the 14th floor for her, and I'm very happy that we're able to do that so that she can she can work very openly and freely at the in the office. I also think her personally for ensuring that this valuable organization like the DRC remains on our our city radar. And a big thank you again for coming out tonight. And I also want to thank our amazing city staff as well. Appreciate you being here. Vice Mayor Richardson. Sure. Just want to take a moment and thank Councilwoman Gonzalez and all the speakers and applause. I'm continually astounded by all of the resources that I continue to learn that are available here in our city. And the more we can highlight them and find these opportunities just to get the word out to the public, the better, the better we do as a city at being more inclusive and respecting human dignity, which is something that is a core value of mine and a core value of our city. So I just want to say thank you and keep up the great work. Thank you. Councilwoman Mango County Councilwoman Price. I, too, want to thank you for being here tonight. I had the pleasure of getting a tour of the center about a year ago maybe. And it was fascinating. I have to tell you, I walked away just so inspired by the dynamic of the environment. It seems to me that everybody who works there has a passion for what you do, and that's why so many of you have been working together for so long. It's unusual to see that kind of longevity in a workplace that was very that that was moving to me. And every time I drive by the center, whether on the freeway or if I'm going to Westerly and happen to drive nearby, I, I think about that. I think about the dynamic through your leadership, Dolores, that you've created there. But just sometimes when you try to put people in a workplace that they don't have passion for who they're working for or what they're doing, it's just not a good fit. And you guys have created such a great fit, which speaks so much to the service that you provide, the folks that seek you out. It's just everyone there cares from the heart. So thank you for everything that you do day in and day out. And thank you also for educating us on the wide number of services that you provide to folks who are disabled and others who are maybe going through addiction issues or economic issues. I think that was eye opening for me. I did not know the breadth of the services that you provide and all of the different folks that you touch through your work. So thank you very much for everything that you do. We're very lucky to have you in Long Beach and I think, Councilwoman Gonzales, for bringing this item forward. All right. Thank you, Councilman Mongo. Yes. I also am just so thankful to have the work. Of both the Resource Center. And all the individuals. So many of your employees are active in the community and out there informing the leaders of the different opportunities to improve our connectivity. And so I appreciate our commissioners and all the employees that work so hard in our community. And I think that being available and being accessible is a big part of that. And taking leadership roles is also a big part of that. So thank you for all doing that and thank you for what you do. Thank you, Councilmember Ringo. Thank you, Mayor. I also want to thank Councilwoman Gonzales for allowing me. Inviting me to participate in this and this event. I also had the opportunity to visit the Civil Resource Center a few months back, and I was just simply amazed at all the wonderful work you do there, the state of the art technology that you have and the state of the art resources that you provide for all your clients. I go out there and it's really amazing. I can remember way back in 1990 when the Disabilities Act first came into into effect, and there were very little resources available at that time. Nobody knew what to do. And but you've hung in there. You've been in there throughout the whole course of it, and it has actually grown to get to where you're at with the state of the art. I want to thank you for your service and thank you for staying in Long Beach and doing the work that you do. Thank you. Thank you again. Thank you to everyone and those who brought the item forward. There's a motion and a second is for public comment on this item. See none. Actually, Shirley Broussard, please come forward so we can. And they were going to take a vote and move on to the agenda. Thank you. I'm speaking for a singing impaired person, Andrea. She's not here, and I haven't had an opportunity to meet her a couple of weeks ago. And she explained to me how it is for the visually impaired to cross the street. And they are going to she they are rallying to get the people who are seeing impaired to come in and introduce themselves. But before they arrive, I would like to assist the DRC in asking its counsel and manager and mayor. How difficult would it be to add voice boxes to the crosswalks so that those who are seeing impaired could go across the street? How how difficult would that be? What grants are available nationally to see that these people are able to cross the street by themselves without someone assisting them? This particular young lady I met her seeing eye dog died. And so she was having to get a new one. And and we sat and discussed for quite a few minutes that just to have voice boxes at the crosswalks for those who cannot see would be a great service to those who are seeing impaired. I would ask you personally on behalf of her, who she's not here and the numerous people who are not sighted in the city somewhat just to take that up for them so that they many major cities have it. Voice boxes you walk up and because they are blind, the Braille has the reading on the box and they press that box and it tells them how many minutes or seconds they have before they can cross the street. I, I believe it would do a major service to those who are seeing impaired if that were added to our list of important things. Thank you. Thank you so much. With that members, please go to cast your vote. Motion passed.