JFS RAISE | Shalom Austin

RAISE

Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of

Special Employees

What is RAISE?

Eligibility

RAISE Employee Application

Volunteer Job Coach Application

The Story of RAISE

The RAISE Mission

RAISE is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce through paid work and social skills training for adults with disabilities. RAISE is a work and social skills training program for adults with disabilities who are seeking employment and face challenges finding work.

Everyone – Including You – Belongs Here

What is RAISE?

One in four people in the United States lives with a disability, and people with disabilities face disproportionate barriers to securing employment. RAISE is an employment preparation and social skills training program for adults with disabilities who are seeking employment but face challenges finding work.

This program runs 6-9 months and loosely follows the academic school year, during which time RAISE employees are provided with temporary job placements, volunteer job coaching, and weekly Lunch & Learn classes. Through completion of this program, RAISE employees build critical social skills, self-esteem, independent living skills, and work experience – while also earning a paycheck.

RAISE hails from Shalom Orlando and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and was founded in 2012. Shalom Austin is proud to serve as a licensed RAISE location.

Eligibility:

RAISE employees are adults with unique abilities who face barriers to employment due to physical, medical, psychological, or educational challenges.

To qualify, an applicant must:

Want to work
Be currently unemployed
Be post-high school (completion/graduation is not required)
Have (or open) an active file with Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Program for the duration of RAISE
Have reliable transportation
Have a family liaison (usually family, but may also be a case manager, adult friend, etc.) who will commit to attending the hiring meeting, key program events, and occasional meetings if needed
Be eligible for paid employment in the United States
Commit to making RAISE a priority

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RAISE Employee Application – Now Open for the 2026-2027 Cohort

Take the first step toward meaningful work and personal growth. Begin your journey with RAISE by completing an application today.

All hiring decisions for the 2025-2026 cohort have been completed, and we are currently accepting rolling applications for the 2026-2027 cohort.

* For security reasons, all RAISE employees must pass a background check before beginning work.

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Volunteer Job Coach Interest Form

The success of RAISE and its employees depends heavily on the support and guidance of our volunteer job coaches. If you are interested in improving the lives of others and want to add more richness to your own life, please complete the interest form below to set up a time to talk and learn more about how to become a RAISE volunteer job coach.

Job coaches do not need to have any prior training or expertise; we will provide training and continued support throughout the program. All you need to have is an open heart, an open mind, and a desire to create a meaningful impact in the life of one neurodivergent adult.

The time commitment for volunteer job coaches is just 3 hours per week at the jobsite, a brief shift report (should take less than 20 minutes to complete), and suggested attendance at 2-3 key program events throughout the year.

We accept interest forms for volunteer job coaches year-round!

* For security reasons, all volunteer job coaches must pass a background check before being matched with a RAISE employee.

Complete an Interest Form

The Story of RAISE

RAISE honors the life and legacy of founder Loren London’s brother, Barry, the inspiration for creating RAISE. Like many others within our community, Barry faced employment and social challenges daily. May his beautiful memory and accomplishments lead us to be involved in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), as RAISE builds inclusion and helps to make our community a better place.

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