Inside internship program for high school students — with disabilities (and how you can participate)

Students with disabilities are placed with employers (at no cost) through HCE internship program

So Delicious Ice Cream in Clark is known for a number of things — starting with great treats to eat.

This spring, the family-owned small business earned a new distinction: Being a local business willing and eager to give internship opportunities to those with disabilities.

John Samsel, after meeting with Hudson Community Enterprises and learning about its new internship program for students with disabilities, hired Zi’Nayiah Warren (who is hearing impaired) to work at So Delicious.

With assistance from a job coach and an ASL interpreter, Warren undertook her internship at the ice cream shop this spring, with a new process allowing hearing customers to write their orders on a white board.

At the ice cream shop.

Samsel has been thrilled to see it all come together.

“I was really excited to have this opportunity for an internship with a deaf person,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to work and how she was going to serve the clientele. But, you know what I believe in? Everybody deserves a chance — and we wanted to give that chance to her.”

Warren, using sign language, said the team at So Delicious has been incredibly supportive.

“The people here at work, oh, my goodness, they’re such a great support and very friendly,” she communicated. “If I need any help, they’re really good at communicating with me. I’ve shown them some sign language, like the sign for ‘help’ if I need it.”

Hudson Community Enterprises is a not-for-profit company that has been providing training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities for over 60 years.

HCE operates six enterprise businesses, including building maintenance services, electronic content management/document scanning, document shredding, embroidery, digital printing and packaging and fulfillment. Each of these businesses employs persons with disabilities, many of whom have been provided workforce development/training and vocational rehabilitation.

In 2023, HCE launched the Center for Employment and Inclusion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and DEAFinite Solutions, a social enterprise offering business services created by and for the deaf and hard of hearing. HCE’s internship program, funded by a grant through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, provides valuable employment opportunities for up to 60 students with disabilities annually.

Participants undergo comprehensive training in essential skills — such as professionalism, teamwork, adaptability and appropriate workplace behavior — to enhance their job performance.

With the support of the grant, the interns are employed for a total of up to 150 hours per year at no cost to the host employer.

Lauren Weishaar, HCE’s assistant vice president for workforce development, said her group always is on the lookout for more companies.

“HCE is actively seeking employers that are interested in hosting these students,” she said. “We feel that the program not only provides necessary job opportunities throughout New Jersey, but also provides our partner employers the chance to contribute to the growth and development of our student interns.”

The impact is great, Weishaar said.

“By hosting our student interns, your organization actively engages in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future, while reinforcing your business as a socially conscious leader in the community,” she said.

Samsel and the staff found out that out firsthand.

Samsel said the team at So Delicious was so inspired by Warren that they decided to host an Ice Cream Social for the Deaf community on Memorial Day Weekend.

“That was a lot of fun,” Samsel said. “The community, the job coaches, interpreters … they put the event together. It was fabulous to see people come from all over and support Zi.”