Easterseals Receives Grant from Safeway Foundation for Supported Employment Program

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received a grant from Safeway Foundation to support its Supported Employment program – a program that opens the door to meaningful work and competitive wages in the community for adults with intellectual disabilities, while providing employers with dedicated, productive employees.

“Safeway Foundation is proud to support Easterseals’ Supported Employment Program,” said Jim Perkins, President Safeway Mid-Atlantic Division. “As a company that proudly employs many people with disabilities, we see firsthand the value Easterseals provides. We are committed to contributing to their success and helping to increase their impact."

The grant from Safeway Foundation directly impacts the lives of the people Easterseals serves through the Supported Employment program, like Kim “KC” Carmine, of Lewes. KC has an immense loyalty to the team at Safeway, where he has been employed for over a decade. He is friendly and helpful with his customers and provides a high-quality shopping experience to the customers. He participates in Special Olympics, flag football, softball, and bowling with his father.

“Easterseals is proud to partner with Safeway Foundation to help continue to provide Supported Employment services so people with disabilities can earn competitive wages and seek greater independence. It seems fitting we receive this grant as we celebrate Supported Employment month during the month of October,” Easterseals President/CEO, Kenan Sklenar, said. “Not only does Safeway support the program through grants but they also see the value in the program and hire people with disabilities, like KC.”

Each year, Easterseals partners with over 60 businesses around Delaware to recruit and train individuals with disabilities for their workplace. Businesses that are interested in learning more about Easterseals Supported Employment Services should contact Jane Schuler at 302-221-2030 or email ESworks@esdel.org.
 
Safeway in the Mid-Atlantic Division is part of Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI). Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Cos. is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. The Mid-Atlantic Division operates Safeway stores in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Delaware. Safeway is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. During 2020, Safeway and Safeway Foundation locally donated more than $5.1 million in food and financial support to help people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans. For more information, visit www.safeway.com.