Beyond Barriers Seeks Mentors for Oct. 21 Event
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Beyond Barriers is seeking local employers, particularly those in welding, to help students with disabilities explore career opportunities during its 25th anniversary Disability Mentoring Day on Oct. 21.
The event begins at 8 a.m. at the American Legion on Fourth Street. Students will gather for breakfast and an opening program before traveling to participating businesses for job shadowing.
Anthony Frischenmeyer of Beyond Barriers said during an interview on the BW Morning Show that organizers were still seeking welding mentors as of his most recent update.
“Welding is always one of those careers we have quite a few students that want to do,” Frischenmeyer said.
Students apply through their schools and identify three careers they would like to explore. Beyond Barriers then works to match their interests with employers willing to provide mentoring opportunities.
“Every year we try to find new employers in the community to get involved,” he said.
This year’s opening program will feature a panel of former Disability Mentoring Day participants who are now employed in the community. They will answer questions about their experiences.
Mentors attending the opening program can accompany students to their workplaces. Organizers also coordinate transportation with RCAT and other community partners.
Students will return for a closing ceremony featuring door prizes and opportunities to share what they learned. Frischenmeyer said discovering that a career is not a good fit can be as valuable as finding one a student wants to pursue.
“Those lessons where you learn that you don’t want to do a job are just as important,” he said.
One unusual match this year involves a student interested in apothecary work. Frischenmeyer said Mystic Menagerie agreed to provide a mentoring opportunity related to that interest.
He also praised Pizza Ranch, Permanent Records and Dillons for working with people with disabilities. At Pizza Ranch, he said, an employee he helped through job coaching has remained employed for several years with accommodations supporting her success.
Former participants have pursued jobs in retail, the prison system and education, he said. One became a paraprofessional, providing daily encouragement and representation for other students with disabilities.
Businesses interested in mentoring or sponsoring the event can call Beyond Barriers at 620-663-3989 and ask for Frischenmeyer or Cindy Daniels. Inquiries also can be submitted through beyondbarriersks.com.