How a Job Coach Changes Lives Through Employment
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week may have ended, but the impact of Direct Support Professionals continues every day. As we recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we’re shining a spotlight on one of the dedicated individuals helping people with disabilities build meaningful skills, gain confidence, and succeed in the workplace.
Meet Jeff Spalter, a Job Coach with Goodwill of Southern New England.
For the past 25 years, Jeff has worked alongside individuals with disabilities, helping them develop the skills needed to thrive in employment settings and become more independent in their daily lives. Based out of Goodwill’s Plainville location, Jeff supports a group of individuals who participate in hands-on work experiences that build both vocational and personal skills.
Each day begins with a trip to the worksite. Along the way, conversations fill the van—stories about family, vacations, Special Olympics competitions, and plans for the future. Once they arrive, the focus shifts to work. Individuals sort donations, hang clothing, and take on responsibilities that help them build workplace experience while contributing to the success of the store.
For Jeff, the most rewarding part of his job is witnessing growth.
“Every day, I see individuals gaining more confidence in their work and more confidence in their ability to relate to other people,” he explains.
That confidence extends far beyond the workplace. Employment provides opportunities to develop social skills, build independence, earn income, and feel connected to the community. For many of the individuals Jeff supports, having a job helps reinforce something deeply important: the knowledge that they are capable, valued, and contributing members of society.
Throughout his career, Jeff has witnessed countless success stories. Whether it’s mastering a new task, becoming more comfortable interacting with coworkers, or reaching personal employment goals, each achievement represents a meaningful step forward.
His work also highlights an important message at the heart of National Disability Employment Awareness Month: people with disabilities have valuable talents, skills, and contributions to offer the workforce.
“People with disabilities are just like everybody else,” says Jeff. “They share the same wants and needs as everyone else. They want to be productive members of society, and they deserve a chance.”
Unfortunately, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment and remain significantly underrepresented in the workforce. Through programs like those offered by Goodwill of Southern New England, individuals are given opportunities to gain experience, strengthen their skills, and pursue meaningful employment that helps them achieve their goals.
As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Jeff’s story serves as a reminder that employment is about more than a paycheck. It’s about confidence, purpose, belonging, and opportunity.
At Goodwill of Southern New England, we are proud to support individuals of all abilities through person-centered employment, training, and services—and proud to work alongside dedicated professionals like Jeff, whose commitment helps change lives every day.