Putting Faith to Work is an initiative in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), and parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The Putting Faith to Work initiative was introduced to us by Patty Origer, Coordinator of the Office of Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Des Moines. The dioceses of Des Moines and Dubuque worked together with the K of C's and IVRS in Dubuque to implement the first Putting Faith to Work presentation in October, 2021 at St. Columbkille Parish.
Putting Faith to Work (PFTW) is all about connecting businesses to job-seekers with disabilities. Individuals and families of persons with disabilities know the difficulties in finding work that is both beneficial and rewarding to the disabled individual. Each person (whether disabled or not) has unique strengths, difficulties, and skills. The goal of PFTW is to find and educate businesses in the community who will consider ALL people as a possible workforce.
The Knights of Columbus have a long-standing history of supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Council members have opportunities to network in their faith communities, in the local community, and at the state-wide level, so it seems natural to involve them in this initiative.
IVRS in Dubuque has created video resumes highlighting the skills and interests of various job-seekers with disabilities in the Dubuque area. Click here to scan QR codes to view sample video resumes and an employee testimonial. Or contact Jason Rubel at IVRS to learn more.
Building a PFTW network with your local Knights of Columbus Council and your parish can make a tremendous difference in the lives of persons with disabilities, and more importantly, can bring value and self-worth to someone who really wants to work! The PFTW initiative reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement.
For more information about Putting Faith to Work, or to facilitate a PFTW presentation for your parish/cluster or Knights of Columbus Council, contact:
Jason Rubel - Rehabilitation Counselor at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Dubuque
Les Oelke - Knights of Columbus Council #15813, St. Columbkille, Dubuque
Lynne Chapman - Disability Inclusion Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Dubuque