Meaningful Employment

Porto Works
Employment
Initiative

About the Initiative

Since 2019, Porto Charities has been bridging the gap between graduation and the workforce by advocating for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Diocese of Arlington. Building on the inclusive foundation of our Catholic schools, our Employment Initiative uses a customized model to match the unique gifts and interests of these individuals with the specific needs of local employers. We believe every young adult has a profound capacity for work, and our role is to guide them toward meaningful roles where their talents can truly shine.

This collaborative approach has already empowered more than 25 young adults to secure positions as classroom assistants, monitors, and receptionists across various schools, parishes, and local businesses. While Porto Charities operates as an advocacy and guidance partner rather than a traditional employment agency, our mission remains focused on creating lasting professional matches. By facilitating these internships and paid positions, we continue to foster a community where every individual has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

Current places employing people with disabilities through the advocacy and support from Porto Charities

Internships/Volunteer

Little Way Cafe (Alexandria)

Nativity (Burke)

Our Lady of Hope (Sterling)
St. Theresa (Ashburn)
St. Veronica (Chantilly)

St. Mary of Sorrows (Fairfax)
St. Mary Basilica (Alexandria)
St. Leo the Great (Fairfax)

Saint Timothy School

Paid

Chancery, Diocese of Arlington.

Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria)

St. Leo the Great (Fairfax)

St. Paul VI High School (South Riding)

Bishop O'Connell High School (Arlington)

Saint Timothy School

St. Mark’s (Oakton)
St. Joseph’s (Herndon)
Holy Spirit (Annandale)
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Vienna)

St. Thomas More Cathedral

Some of these jobs were secured thanks to partnerships with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and George Mason Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) program. All current interns and paid employees are either graduates of the Options Programs from our Catholic High Schools, from the Mason Life program, or parishioners from our Diocese.

PortoWorks Employment Initiative has been featured on The Catholic Herald.

Check out the articles!

Individuals with disabilities are enriching diocesan workplaces

Inclusive employment at Catholic schools

School receives Porto Charities grant

Granting employment

Becoming a PortoWorks employee or employer

Diagnosis:
- Intellectual disability
- Developmental disability
- Eligible and meets the criteria for SSI
Live in the geographic boundaries of the Arlington Diocese
Successfully participated in an Inclusive Catholic Educational Program or Inclusive Post secondary Program for Adults with the above disabilities. Priority given to graduates of Catholic High School Programs. Active in the Diocese of Arlington also considered, but not necessary.
Independent in use of Technology. Must carry a cell phone and be able to use it to communicate.
Transportation: Responsible for a Reliable Mode of Transportation to and from job site.
Expected to follow all HR rules of the job (dress code, conduct and time off, etc.)
Must sign a Participation Agreement.

About the Employer:

Potential employer has a desire to hire an individual with ID/DD and will provide an inclusive, supportive community for the adult(s) with ID/DD.

About the Position:

Location within the Diocese of Arlington boundaries.
A position already exists with formal job description, or leadership should utilize the Customized Employment model to develop a job for individuals with ID/DD.

The potential employer must contact the Porto Employment Committee to meet with a member to review the organizational tool analysis for the potential job(s) or design a job collaboratively with Porto Charities.

Steps to be Completed by Job Seeker with assistance as needed by their support system, before meeting with Porto Employment Initiative

Discovery Questionnaire completed by job seeker and assisted by parents
Resume(s) completed (both traditional and visual)
References
Personal statement
Sign participation agreement
Job Coach researched and in motion (see job description)
- Department of Aging and Rehab (DARS), Self Directed Services Funding in Fairfax County (SDS), Waiver Funding or Private.
Transportation-100% responsible for reliable mode of transportation
- Metro Access registered, Bus System, or private (ride share/parent or private driver)
Circle of support - individual circumstances need to be considered.
- Plan for sickness, emergency contacts setup, critical travel scenarios.

When you have all the requirements, please contact us to set up a meeting with a Porto Employment Committee Member.

Match the Potential Employee to the Job Developed from the Potential Employer based on the Customized Employment Model.
Share the Job Description from the Potential Employer to the Potential Employee to see if there is an interest in moving forward, with a Job Preview and Exploration Assessment.
If there is a successful match, the Potential Employer will facilitate the onboarding process for the Potential Employee through their HR Department that will include start date and salary. If there are additional negotiations of the job description or phased approach, this will be discussed at this point. Coordination must happen between employee, parent/job coach, employer and Porto Charities.
Porto will provide a one-hour training to the Employer's leadership/management team.
Porto will provide initial training through an Inclusive Employment Support Specialist (outside consultant) to the Employee's direct supervisor/peers.
Porto may continue to provide support and training as needed through the Inclusion Specialist.

Check out our Webinars on Inclusive Employment to learn more about our process

Employment Webinars

Get in touch

If you would like to be part of our Employment Initiative either as an employer or an employee, please reach out to our Employment Committee Chair, Christine Fowler at PortoWorks@portocharities.org

Porto Works
Employment
Initiative

About the Initiative

Current places employing people with disabilities through the advocacy and support from Porto Charities

Internships/Volunteer

Paid

Individuals with disabilities are enriching diocesan workplaces

Inclusive employment at Catholic schools

School receives Porto Charities grant

Granting employment

Becoming a PortoWorks employee or employer

Check out our Webinars on Inclusive Employment to learn more about our process

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Porto Works Employment Initiative

About the Initiative

Current places employing people with disabilities through the advocacy and support from Porto Charities

Internships/Volunteer

Paid

Becoming a PortoWorks employee or employer

Check out our Webinars on Inclusive Employment to learn more about our process

Porto Works
Employment
Initiative