Posted on: November 19, 2019[ARCHIVED] Sweet and Savory Embraces Diversity
Westmont, Illinois
Date Issued: November 19, 2019
Sweet and Savory, located at 15 S. Cass Avenue, is a Westmont business that has embraced individuals with differences for many years and is currently a job site for students in the Transition 99 (T99) program. “Everyone deserves a purpose and opportunity,” said Danielle Kirin, co-owner of Sweet and Savory. “If there’s anything I can do to provide that opportunity, I will.”
Westmont resident and T99 student Noah Tomanovich began an internship with Sweet and Savory on October 10. The goal of the program and internship is to provide an opportunity for Noah to learn and gain valuable work experience.
Noah is very excited to be working at the restaurant and has learned quite a bit already. “I like to work,” said Noah. “I really like it, especially the lunch rush.” As part of the internship, Noah learned how to use an I-pad to ring up sales, bag up the to go orders, bus tables, greet customers, and sweep floors.
T99 is a post-high school program for individuals with disabilities, aged 18-21. The program includes teaching students life and vocational skills. Sweet and Savory owner Danielle Kirin is committed to having her Westmont restaurant be an ideal location for individuals like Noah.
“Noah is loyal, serious, and is an asset to our business,” said Kirin. “Noah does a great job and loves to learn new things. Basically, he’s great!” For businesses who are considering this initiative, Danielle’s advice is to focus on understanding the strengths of the individual and getting to really know them, which is no different than working with any employee or intern.
Finding suitable job sites for individuals with different abilities is the goal of the Diverse Opportunities program, which was launched this past summer through a T99 internship with the Village of Westmont. The program was immediately supported by the Westmont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The Westmont Chamber of Commerce is planning to promote and encourage diversity in our Westmont business community. “I encourage any business interested in participating in a no-cost internship program to get involved,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Larry Forssberg. “The Diverse Opportunities program provides mutually beneficial work opportunities for individuals with a variety of abilities.” Additionally, Danielle Kirin has volunteered to be a representative for the Diverse Opportunities program to assist businesses who may be interested in this new program.
For more information about Diverse Opportunities, please contact communications@westmont.il.gov. Please contact Jenny Patrick, Vocational Coordinator for T99, at jpatrick@csd99.org if your business would be interested in starting an amazing partnership!
###
Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
