JERSEY CITY, NJ (October 3, 2023) – Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) announced today the launch of its #PledgeAllAbilities™ campaign, aimed at incentivizing partnerships with regional employers who are seeking to bolster their inclusivity of persons with disabilities. The campaign is supported through a $275,000 Work First; Innovation and Expansion grant awarded in 2023 through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

“Saying you support diversity and inclusion in your workplace is a significant step, but actively engaging in an endeavor to realize these objectives takes your commitment to the next level,” said HCE President Joe Brown. “We are inviting the businesses and organizations in Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex and Union counties to pledge their support and join us to promote workplaces that are inclusive of persons with disabilities through our #PledgeAllAbilities™ campaign.”

Through this initiative, HCE seeks to:

• Increase an organization’s awareness of how to effectively include persons with disabilities into the workplace;
• Increase HCE’s number of business partnerships, while developing a network of committed inclusive businesses, which will increase placements of individuals in our program as well as providing more equitable employment opportunities for persons with disabilities;
• Advance our #PledgeAllAbilities™ marketing campaign in tandem with our new and existing partners, raising awareness and helping our partner businesses let their community know they are committed to our cause.
  

“This outreach campaign will enable organizations to proudly highlight their efforts in engaging with the expansive consumer demographic represented by individuals with disabilities. By showcasing their commitment to hiring and advancing the careers of people with disabilities, these organizations are not only recognizing their invaluable contributions but also positioning themselves as valuable assets in return,” said Daniela Rivera, HCE’s Vice President, Program Development. “We believe that this commitment to inclusion will help the business promote their brand favorably among those who prioritize diversity and inclusion as essential elements of our community.”

For more about #PledgeAllAbilities™, our current program partners and other benefits to joining our campaign, visit https://hce.works/pledgeallabilities.

Press inquiries should be sent to Nikki Ouellette at nouellette@hce.works or call 908-783-2410.

About Hudson Community Enterprises

Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) is a not-for-profit company that has been providing training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities for over 60 years. HCE operates five enterprise businesses, including building maintenance services, Electronic Content Management (ECM)/document scanning, document shredding, digital printing and packaging and fulfillment. Each of these businesses employs persons with disabilities, many of whom have been provided workforce development/training and vocational rehabilitation through our HCE.

In 2023, HCE launched the Center for Employment and Inclusion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and DEAFinite SolutionsTM, a social enterprise offering business services created by and for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

New Social Enterprise Offers Services Inspired BY and FOR the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

(Jersey City, NJ) – Building upon its six decade-mission of supporting, training and employing persons with disabilities,
Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) has launched a new social enterprise inspired by and created for the deaf and
hard of hearing community – DEAFinite Solutions™.

“Not every business, government entity, school or health care organization has the tools to create an environment that
is deaf-friendly,” said Joseph Brown, President of HCE. “Our newest program, DEAFinite Solutions™, offers a multitude of
services that will help you make your work environment, service area, or community event more accessible and
informative to the Deaf community.”

The comprehensive range of services comprises American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, event planning, ASL content
creation, and personalized support aimed at making your business or organization more accessible and accommodating
to deaf employees and customers.

Daniela Rivera, Vice President of Program Development, says that the services offered through DEAFinite Solutions™
were inspired by the new team at HCE, brought in to focus on the deaf and hard of hearing. “70% of our new staff
members are deaf,” says River. “This new enterprise features services not only inspired by the deaf, but also offered by
the deaf.

“Deaf-created businesses play a vital role in fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the community,” added
Rivera. “They not only provide essential products and services but also serve as beacons of guidance and resources for
businesses seeking to collaborate with the Deaf and hard of hearing. Embracing their expertise and unique perspective
enables us to build a world where communication knows no barriers, and diversity becomes our greatest strength.”
Brown noted that the mission of DEAFinite Solutions™ is unique in New Jersey, and the goal of the enterprise is not only
to make our community’s more deaf-friendly, but also to provide employment opportunities for members of the Deaf
community.

“Within HCE, we now employ 11 members of the Deaf community through DEAFinite Solutions™and the Center for
Employment and Inclusion, as well as through HCE’s long-standing enterprises, such as Electronic Content
Management/scanning services.” said Brown. “Our greatest hope is that other employers and organizations learn that
incorporating members of the Deaf community and persons with disabilities into their business growth plans is
achievable. And we can provide the expertise and tools, as well as the potential pool of employees, to help you meet
your inclusivity goals.”

In addition to DEAFinite Solutions™, HCE also recently launched The Center for Employment and Inclusion for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing (CEI), which offers a variety of employment-related support services and career opportunities.
Services for the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind and low-vision individuals include vocational assessments, pre-
employment transition services (ages 14-21), and an array of services to prepare individuals for employment through job
readiness, coaching, placement and retention programs.

If you are interested in learning more about the services offered through DEAFinite Solutions™, please visit our website
at www.deafinitesolutions.works or email deafinitesolutions@hce.works

All press inquiries should be directed to Nikki Ouellette at 908-783-2410 or nouellette@hce.works

About Hudson Community Enterprises:
Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) is a not-for-profit that has been providing training and employment opportunities
for persons with disabilities for over 60 years. In addition to the services now offered through DEAFinite Solutions™, HCE
also operates five social enterprises, including building maintenance services, Electronic Content Management
(ECM)/document scanning, document shredding, digital printing and packaging and fulfillment. Each of these businesses
employs persons with disabilities, many of whom have been provided workforce development/training and vocational
rehabilitation through HCE.

HCE APPROVED AS COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYER BY NJ CBVI

We are proud to announce that the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) has approved Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) as a competitive, integrated employer under the Work Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) definition of acceptable employment outcomes for the blind, low vision, and deafblind population. 

Competitive integrated employment is defined within WIOA as full-time or part-time work at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with coworkers without disabilities. WIOA ensures employment is offered as a priority outcome for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

HCE, based in Jersey City, NJ offers an array of training services and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. Through social enterprise businesses, we provide quality services to the public and private sector throughout the tri-State area. The businesses we operate that are approved as competitive integrated employment include Building Management Services, Document Shredding and Scanning, and Digital Printing. 

Employment opportunities are available to persons with disabilities in all HCE’s businesses. Learn more about the job best suited for you, and the benefits we offer. You can read more on our website:  https://deafsolutions.wpengine.com/careers/ 

HCE’s Weishaar Named to NJ State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee 

Recently, Lauren Weishaar, HCE’s Director of Community Impact and key member of HCE’s Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services, was chosen to serve on the New Jersey State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee. Weishaar, who is widely recognized for her commitment and effectiveness in supporting both deaf and blind individuals in New Jersey, was invited by a representative of The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) to apply for the volunteer position.  

As a representative of the deaf and hard of hearing community, Weishaar will work closely with the CBVI and other state councils to assist in analyzing the effectiveness and consumer satisfaction of vocational rehabilitation services and make recommendations on how to improve.  

“It is truly an honor to undertake this new role and work with the Committee to advocate for the estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents who have varying degrees of hearing loss,” said Weishaar. “Through my prior experience, my role at the NJ State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Committee, and my new position with Hudson Community Enterprises, I feel so very well-positioned to bring light to the issues that I know first-hand need to be addressed – and can be addressed – with laser focus, strong partnerships, and significant resources.” 

Weishaar, HCE’s Director of Community Impact, comes to the organization with a lifelong experience as a Deaf woman, Bachelor of Arts from New Jersey City University, Magna Cum Laude, and has over 10 years of employment services experience working with the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deafblind, and blind populations. She will be focusing on HCE’s program growth, strategic planning, and business innovations. 

Taking steps to expand its six-decade mission of supporting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, Hudson Community Enterprises is building a new team to provide training and job placement services for the deaf and hard of hearing.

“The goal of our incredibly experienced new team is multi-pronged,” said HCE President Joe Brown. “First, we are heavily focused on outreaching to our many stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the training and job placement services we can provide. Those audiences include school administrators, students and families that want to explore our services to this community.

“Our outreach also includes businesses throughout the tri-State area who are looking to bring the deaf and hard of hearing into their workplace, and the services we offer to help those businesses reach that goal,” added Brown. “We are also working to advance several new social enterprise businesses that will offer job opportunities for the people we are training.”

HCE services will include vocational assessments, job readiness training, and job placement and coaching. Each of our new team members will be focused on creating welcoming and inclusive work environments in HCE’s Social Enterprise Businesses, and expanding work opportunities for these populations. The new team members include:

Daniela Rivera, Vice President, Program Development, brings over a decade of experience working to advance and expand vocational rehabilitation services. In her new position at HCE, Rivera will oversee the development of innovative and scalable programs that further the economic inclusion of individuals with hearing and/or vision loss. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Capella University, Magna Cum Laude, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Leadership and Management from Capella University, Cum Laude. For more information, visit here.

Angela C. Gargano, Manager of Deaf Services, brings over seven years of employment services experience to our organization, along with a Bachelor of Science in Deaf Studies and Human Services from Towson University, and an Associates in Art: American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from Union County College. For more information, visit here.

Lauren Weishaar, Director of Community Impact, comes to the organization with a lifelong experience as a Deaf woman, Bachelor of Arts from New Jersey City University, Magna Cum Laude, and has over 10 years of employment services experience working with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, and blind populations. She will be focusing on program growth, strategic planning, and business innovations. For more information, visit here.

All of our new team members are fluent in American Sign Language. More information about the services and job opportunities and additional new team members will be available on our website in the coming weeks.