Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Cooper
Sabrina, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was in my last year of graduate school and found out that my job was being outsourced. At the time, I was looking frantically for an internship in case management or in a counseling setting. I initially thought I would complete my internship at the company I was working for but based on the requirements I needed it was not a good fit. So, at the last minute, I found a practicum that inspired me to not only want to make a difference in the community but also in the lives of the individuals who need a voice, to give them the tools they needed to succeed. Initially, it was not the route I was going for, but after almost a year of gathering experience, INNERVISION was born!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not at all. The struggles of finding employment for people with disabilities has not been a smooth road. To the outsider, a job is just a job. However, for participants in my program, it’s a way to bond with the world. There are still stigmas out there. That’s where I come in. I explain to employers/businesses that if you give one of our people a chance, you’re probably going to find they can do an even better job in terms of their reliability and the enthusiasm, energy, and commitment they put into a job.
There are state programs that fund job training. Businesses may also be eligible for tax breaks by hiring a person with disabilities. I work closely with our participants to help them transition into new jobs to ensure success. Still, we have plenty of participants seeking work. Job opportunities have slowed as the economy has changed. Jobs in restaurants and retail continue to move towards less interaction with people. Some traditional roles don’t exist anymore.
Also, a consistent barrier is transportation. Luckily metro Atlanta areas are rolling out new transportation initiatives. For example, Douglas County now has Douglas Connect. Anytime I find a job for someone who relies on public transportation or alternative transportation like Uber, Lyft, or family members, I have to design creative solutions to make sure they are where they need to be. Our job seekers like the camaraderie of their coworkers. They like the sense of purpose. People with disabilities have the same wants, needs, and desires and one of those is to be a valuable member of society and of our community.
Please tell us about INNERVISION.
INNERVISION is a supported employment program designed to connect people with disabilities to integrated employment opportunities in their community. We are also an approved Service Provider for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA). Initially, when I started, INNERVISION, it was a vocational services agency that offered a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities, including internships, job placement, and job coaching. However, after working in the community and seeing the needs, we have evolved and recently added a business solutions program. This program is an extension of our vocational services program. It provides staffing and commercial custodial services that provide meaningful employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Of course, our employee success depends on partnerships with businesses that understand the importance of hiring people with disabilities.
As a company, I am most proud of our program called Project HireME. Project HireME is a partnership with businesses and employers to provide job skills training for people with disabilities. Developed to address the needs of individuals for whom the lack of experience and qualifications are barriers to employment.
Finally, I think the central premise is shared across the board when it comes to disability employment, and that is to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Working together and partnering with federal, state, and local communities, to continue to dismantle some of the common barriers to employment, such as a lack of accessible transportation, difficulty finding programs and services that can help, and insufficient skills training. I’d like to think INNERVISION and other companies like it, each have our own unique brand that sets us apart but the end result is the same, which is community over competition.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is staying at my grandmother’s house. She is a great woman of faith and a godly woman. Her Christian values, work ethic, and desire to serve others was instilled in me early in my life. She was the president of the missionary board at our church and conducted outreach initiatives. She is fierce, hard-working, and always contributed to the community. She inspires me even now at 98 years old.
Because of her influence, I believe God has given me the ability and desire to help others as well. When I think about her strength and the barriers she had to overcome, it helps me to remove my own layers of fear, whether it is advocating with hiring managers about hiring people with disabilities or developing programs like internships or partnering with companies to join the INNERVISION journey. My grandmother raised nine children and countless grandchildren. She is a woman who honored God. She did not desire praise or fame. She wanted to serve her community and the Lord. She was not trying to be perfect. She just knew it was her duty. It was natural for her to be a virtuous woman because virtue was already in her heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.innervisionga.com
- Phone: 404-382-7407
- Email: letstalk@innervisionga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innervisionga/
Image Credit:
INNERVISION
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