It’s About Who You Know: How Students Can Utilize Social Capital to Get Real Jobs Presenter: Alli Smale KenCrest EmployNet

Alli

Social Capital is “the resources available in and through personal and business relationships.” - Wayne Baker Taken a bit farther… Social Capital as it pertains to individuals with disabilities is “the personal and collective power of people with disabilities and organizations to further their full inclusion within the community, to access social support networks, and to increase their quality of life.” #NationalAPSE2015

Connecting: Easier or More Difficult? Connecting might be easier, but relationship building has become more difficult Since 1960, Americans began to: - join less - trust less - vote less - schmooze less #NationalAPSE2015

Connecting: Easier or More Difficult? Participation in social organizations such as churches, civic groups, social clubs and yes even bowling leagues (gasp) has dropped dramatically. Upwards of 50% over 3 decades. #NationalAPSE2015

Why is Social Capital Important? Basically- Social Capital keeps us healthy, safe and happy. Not hospitals, not police, not medications or vices, but REALTIONSHIPS! #NationalAPSE2015

Relationships Make the World Go Round How we find our soul mates How we know who to trust How we find the good coffee shop in town How we find jobs How we succeed in business Who Makes Your World Go Round? #NationalAPSE2015

Loneliness is the only true disability! #NationalAPSE2015

What we know… People with disabilities are not rich in social capital. People with disabilities are un-employed and under employed. #NationalAPSE2015

What we think we know… If we can help people with disabilities increase their social capital, we can also help them to: Maintain employment in a job they like. Empower them to choose where and with whom they want to live. Gain access to the opportunities they want. #NationalAPSE2015

So…now what?? Really look at the 150 Ways to Build Social Capital Document- There’s a lot of good stuff in there. Begin talking about Social Capital at school, at work, at home, with your friends and colleagues, where you worship etc… Talk about it at annual meetings, person centered planning… #NationalAPSE2015

So…now what?? It takes a long time to build Social Capital- but day by day, experience by experience, it adds up! Discuss Social Capital with students, families and teams. It takes a lot of buy in to truly make this work and can’t be done solely in the course of the school or work day. #NationalAPSE2015

Teams can… Help students develop Social Capital goals. Help students to design contact/business cards. Ensure folks you work with have addresses and can access their accounts. Emphasize the importance of joining social structures outside of school. Work on skills to help folks maintain the friendships they make during school or other activities. #NationalAPSE2015

Individuals and their families can… Adopt Social Capital into their home and family lives. Families can foster positive relationship building. Facilitate as many social ties as possible. Be willing to share their networking circle with job developers. #NationalAPSE2015

The Social Capital Campaign: Banking Experiences Instead of Cash! Our Blog: #NationalAPSE2015

“Individuals who possess a significant amount of social capital, as a rule, have the resources, leveraging capacity, and natural supports necessary to achieve greater inclusion and a better quality of life as well as the ability to advocate for others with disabilities who may not have the ability to do so themselves.” (Accessing Social Capital) #NationalAPSE2015

Resources What To Do: 150 Things You Can Do To Build Social Capital- Saguaro Seminar, Harvard Better Together: Restoring the American Community, Putnam, Robert D., and Feldstein, Lewis M., 2003 Accessing Social Capital: Implications for Persons with Disabilities, Gotto, George S, 2010)

Resources Conversations on Citizenship & Person Centered Work, O’Brien & Blessing, 2011 Social Capital: The Power & Potency of Relationships, Condeluci, Al Ph.D,

Contact Information Alli Smale Director, Program Enhancement & Growth KenCrest Services ext 2430 Find me on Facebook: Allison Ingram Smale Blog spot: