The Catholic Church teaches that every person has inherent dignity and is called to meaningful participation in society. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this means that societies must ensure they have access to employment.
Even when starting as unpaid positions, these jobs provide critical opportunities to hone skills and gain experience. We’ve seen this truth beautifully illustrated right here in the Arlington diocese. Consider the inspiring journey of Emma Erhardt, a graduate of the Options program at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly. Emma applied for the competitive LIFE program at George Mason University in Fairfax for students with disabilities but wasn’t initially accepted. Then the diocese stepped in, offering her a role working at its Offices of Development and Catholic Schools at its headquarters building, or chancery. After two years of invaluable experience, Emma reapplied to the George Mason LIFE program, and this time she was accepted. She’s now balancing college studies with continued work at the chancery during school breaks.
Emma isn’t alone. She’s one of several individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who volunteer or work at schools and parishes throughout our diocese, inspired by Porto Charities’ PortoWorks initiative. On learning about this program, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge asked, “What about our chancery?” He soon led the effort to hire not just Emma, but two additional individuals. Bishop Burbidge has since said, “The joy that they bring to all of us is incredible.”
Jeannette Simon, chancery greeter, welcomes visitors to the first-floor lobby with her warm smile and guides them to the elevator with a sweet, “Have a nice day.” She also efficiently delivers mail using a special pushcart with color-coded labels and a sign-off sheet.
“Small accommodations like these make a difference,” said Christine Fowler, employment chair for Porto Charities, a nonprofit that facilitates Catholic education and meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities in the diocese. Porto Charities uses the Customized Employment Model, which identifies the individual’s strengths, finds an unmet need in a workplace, and then creates a custom job match. To date, Porto Charities has facilitated the hiring of more than 25 individuals across the diocese’s parishes, schools and businesses.
“There are always unmet needs at any workplace,” Christine recalls, explaining how PortoWorks young adult Henry Hamilton got his job after a chancery staff member mentioned a storage room full of architectural plans that needed to be scanned.
Christine’s son, Zach, who has Down syndrome, is successfully employed at St. Leo the Great Catholic School, assisting with everything from recess and lunch to supporting several teachers and the nurse throughout the day. Others, like Meredith Cripe, have continued to contribute their talents to their schools after graduation. Meredith graduated from the Options program at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly and now works there as an office assistant.
Employment is essential for anyone, and this fundamental human need should be no different for people with disabilities. As Pope St. John Paul II stated, “Work is a good thing for man because through work man achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes more a human being.” Christine emphasized how blessed the diocese is to have this commitment from the bishop. “Bishop Burbidge is a strong advocate and supporter of people with disabilities,” she said. Christine invites every parish, school, and business to follow the example of the chancery.
“PortoWorks is more than a program; it is a fulfillment of our Catholic social teaching,” she said. “Answer God’s call to embrace people with disabilities by providing them with volunteer and employment opportunities. In doing so, you will not only affirm their dignity but also enrich your own workplace with their unique gifts and incredible joy.”
Williamson is communications coordinator for Porto Charities.
