Special needs nonprofit organization Keshet: a Rainbow of Hope for Children and Adults, Northbrook, Ill, recently named Athletico Physical Therapy, Oak Brook, Ill, the recipient of its Employer of the Year Award, according to a company news release from Athletico.
For the last 5 years, Athletico Physical Therapy has maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with Kershet, which allows students from Keshet to gain professional work experience by working as members of the Athletico staff. Their tasks include assisting with front office duties, cleaning tables and equipment, organizing the treatment areas, and facilitating the core beliefs both companies value, the release notes. For many of the Keshet students, the release continues, this is their first experience working with colleagues, wearing a name badge, interacting with the staff, and achieving independence at work.
“The Keshet students work alongside Athletico staff performing many different work duties each week,” Athletico Regional Manager Jeff Hay says in the release. “This is a unique opportunity to support a local organization and most importantly, give Keshet students a positive work experience.”
Karen Rohrbach, Keshet Vocation Coordinator, emphasizes her appreciation in the release for the opportunities Athletico works to provide the students at Keshet.
“It gives our students the chance to use the skills they have been learning in our vocation lab. More important than that, however, is the self-esteem our students get from being in an actual business, doing work they are successful at,” Rohrbach says.
The release reports that Athletico Physical Therapy, which recently merged with Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers and PRORehab, looks forward to continuing and strengthening its relationship with Keshet to provide its students with work experience, according to the release.
“We are planning to expand our relationship with Keshet and hope that other businesses get involved with this outstanding organization,” Hay says.
[Source: Athletico Physical Therapy]