​Celebrating 12 months of Employment Success 

Our July featured employees gained their skills through our Youth Employment Program

Adrian & Delaney Bata

These teens from the Atchison area overcame their fears about employment and are excited about their future! 
Adrian and Delaney learned about 3Rivers youth employment program from their high school. 
They are currently employed at
​Pete's Steak House in Atchison, KS  

Their Story

Q.  What challenges did you face when you started this program?  
 A.  Adrian - I wasn't comfortable speaking up for my needs and I wasn't confident in my choices. All the paperwork such as applications and banking were a challenge. 
Delaney - I had to overcome my fear of applying for a job.  I am learning to study and gain my driver's permit.  
 Q. What are you most excited about with your job? 
Delaney & Adrian - My job has a lot of routine but also something new and different each day.  We love that we can interact with my employer and co-workers on equal ground. 
Q.  What were you most afraid of when you started looking for work? 
Adrian - I was afraid I wouldn't interview well, that I didn't have the skill and that I might fail.
Delaney - I was afraid that when our trial work period was over that my employer wouldn't hire me and then I would have to look for another job.  

Words of Wisdom for anyone afraid of starting a new job.....  

Take the chance; Don't be afraid
It can be scary but you will not know unless you try. 
Just find a few things to help you out along the way.  Research is available, talk to experienced job hunters, parents, teachers or friends.  

Both Adrian and Delaney credit 3Rivers employee Dawn Hadley with helping them gain skills and knowledge through the youth employment project.  Adrian added: "Use the help that is offered to you, for as long as it is given to you, or you might miss a great life experience."     

 We are confident this is just the beginning for these two energetic young women as they explore getting driver's permits, passports,  and maybe even a place of their own in the near future.    

---

WorkPlace Preparedness Program for High School Students

 COVID 19 has added some challenges but this exciting program is still operating. 
​Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)  available to qualifying students, provides job exploration, counseling and other services to help young people prepare for employment and self-reliance.  Contact us to learn more about this successful program for High School Juniors and Seniors with disabilities!  

Serving Northeast Kansas since 1986  

---

We are so proud to show off the Spirit of Wamego train with it's accessible car.  This project was a culmination of years of advocating, brainstorming and yes, sometimes begging, but it's fully operational now!  The smiles in the video below say it all.... 

​

---

Support 3Rivers by shopping at AmazonSmile.  

Get Started now at
​AmazonSmile

---

Our Story 

Three Rivers Inc. promotes self-reliance of individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, training and support.

Three Rivers Inc. Center for Independent Living began as a volunteer organization and incorporated in 1986 serving Central Northeast Kansas as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). To maintain a consumer-driven focus, the majority of our staff and Board of Directors are persons with disabilities. 

​Three Rivers is partially funded by grants from the Kansas Department of Rehabilitation Services, the U.S. Dept of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration and by fee-for-service programs.  To find out how you can help support Three Rivers, contact us today!   

---

Video Produced by Rusty Earl (Wamego, KS) music licensed from Premiumbeat.com "For You" by Dan Phillipson.  Thanks to the students and faculty sponsors at the University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Department in Lawrence KS and to the community volunteers who designed and created the Spirit of Wamego train.  For hours of operation contact the Wamego City Office or visit their website www.wamego.org.