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Kessler Laboratory Program

January 23, 2007

JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute hosted a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the opening of a new training laboratory in New Jersey. The new laboratory assistant training program was a collaborative effort between Abilities, Inc., Abilities! National Business & Disability Council, Henry H. Kessler Foundation and the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute to replicate one of Abilities, Inc. model programs that trains adults with disabilities for employment in pharmaceutical, clinical, environmental, or research laboratories.

(L. to r.) Anthony Cuzzola, VP, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute; Tom Jennings, Director, NJ Vocational Rehabilitiation; David A. Belowich, Chair, JFK Johnson Rehabilitiation Institute, Executive Board Committee; Harriet Findlay, Director, Vocational Rehabilitiation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitiation Institute; Francine Tishman, President & COO, Abilities, Inc.; Elaine Katz, VP, The Kessler Foundation; Ed Cortez, President & CEO, Abilities!; Brian Fitzgibbons, Assistant Director, NJ Vocational Rehabilitiation

Structured to meet the needs of unemployed adults with disabilities in New Jersey, the program focuses on short-term job training that will lead to career path positions, while assuring companies in the pharmaceutical and related industries new talent in their employment pipelines. The New Jersey Department of Vocational Rehabilitation is also playing an important role in the success of this project through a contract established with the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute to support students eligible to participate in the training program.

As partners in this collaborative effort, the Henry H. Kessler Foundation was recognized first and foremost for their financial support, a multi-year grant totaling just under a half a million dollars, which made the entire project possible. Abilities, Inc. was recognized for the expertise, training and support it provided throughout the grant period to replicate their successful program, which has successfully trained hundreds of individuals with disabilities who have gone on to be gainfully employed. The National Business & Disability Council was acknowledged for their contributions to engage and involve New Jersey based pharmaceutical companies.

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