Ongoing collaboration with Best Buddies Jobs Program has grown to 14 team members, with continued expansion planned across Belmont Village communities.
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Belmont Village Senior Living is highlighting its steadfast commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and building a more inclusive workforce across its communities.
Central to this initiative is Belmont Village Senior Living’s five-year partnership with the Best Buddies Jobs Program. As Best Buddies’ first official jobs partner in the senior living industry, Belmont Village is working with the organization to identify rewarding roles across its communities and match those opportunities with program participants based on their skills, interests and career goals. Since welcoming its first Best Buddies participant, Amanda Ramos, to the Belmont Village Coral Gables team in March 2024, the collaboration has grown to 14 active team members across 10 communities.
“Fostering an inclusive workplace means more than opening the door to employment; it means creating opportunities for individuals to build impactful careers and become an integral part of our communities,” said Mercedes Kerr, President of Belmont Village Senior Living. “Through our partnership with Best Buddies, we’ve seen firsthand how welcoming individuals with different backgrounds and experiences enriches our teams, strengthens relationships and contributes to the culture that makes Belmont Village special.We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together and look forward to building on that success in the years ahead.”
“What makes my job at Belmont Village so special is the people. The residents treat me like family, and I try to provide that same kindness and care in return,” said Amanda Ramos, Best Buddies participant and Belmont Village Coral Gables team member. “Belmont Village has given me the opportunity to showcase my talents and be part of a community that values what everyone brings to the table. The support and sense of belonging I’ve found through both Belmont Village and Best Buddies have truly changed my life. I’m proud to come to work every day knowing I’m making a difference.”
Belmont Village Senior Living’s dedication to creating a supportive workplace extends beyond its partnership with Best Buddies. Most recently, the company joined forces with New Horizons, a nonprofit that provides employment and other services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to hire a new team member at Belmont Village Burbank in California.
These efforts build on Belmont Village's longstanding focus on encouraging the growth and development of its team members. With a wide range of roles and an emphasis on personal connection, senior living offers unique opportunities for individuals of all abilities to contribute and thrive. Across departments, employees bring their diverse strengths and experiences to their work, building relationships with residents, families and colleagues while helping shape the vibrant culture that makes each Belmont Village community feel like home.
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