By Rebecca Trujillo | directora
We have a new psychologist working in Social Employment which is the program that works directly with young people to maintain and or train in jobs at FE. The social unit decided that it needed more emphasis on work values and more direct work with the God Mothers (Madrinas). Karla is the psychologist in charge and has started working directly with the Madrinas to ensure that each young person has a guide in their work. The Madrina Program is very unique in that we have mothers who have children with a handicap who are working directly with the young people with a handicap in order to ensure that they have support in their jobs at FE. Juanita is one of the Madrinas. Juanita has been with FE since its inception 23 years ago. She herself has a handicap and uses crutches. Juanita is very good at her job in Artiespecial so she now works as a Madrina there with the 15 people who have a handicap.
Artiespecial is an environmental therapy program where there are four unique programs: piñatas, sewing, painting, and kraft bags. They use recycled materials to produce all kinds of creative products for sale. Juanita is at the side of the young people to help them when they have a question or if they are confused about a relationship or how to do their job. She works closely with the coordinator and the head of production to help each person meet their goals and to affirm their work. She is a general problem solver and a great shoulder to lean on when it is necessary. The psychologist has monthly trainings for the Madrinas and there is one Padrino at this moment in FE in the small businesses. Juanita loves her work and says “We always have great fun and it is especially rewarding to see people grow and develop.” She has her own child who has a handicap and knows first hand what types of problems people have adjusting to work and how important the relationships are to the young people as they learn work values. She understands the different handicaps and what is necessary for them to find meaning in their work and to feel important in the workplace.
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