Serving Good

Empowerment Through Inclusion

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For too long, adults with disabilities have faced barriers to employment that leave their talents unseen and their potential untapped. Across the country, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities remains alarmingly high, not because of a lack of willingness to work, but because of a lack of opportunity. The Soundview Empowerment Alliance (SEA) is working to change that, starting here in Westport.

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At SEA, we believe that when one member of our community is excluded, we all lose something. By creating pathways to meaningful employment for adults with disabilities, we strengthen the fabric of Westport itself. Our mission is not only to provide job training, but also to shift perspectives, helping every resident see the immense value, dedication, and reliability that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace.

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Through our partnership with The Romanacci Group at the Old Mill Grocery & Deli, SEA provides a welcoming environment for skill-building and professional growth. Here, adults with disabilities receive hands-on training in real-world settings, learning life skills and workplace practices that lead to lasting employment opportunities. At the same time, local residents and businesses gain a deeper understanding of the barriers people with disabilities face and the benefits that come from creating inclusive, accessible workplaces.

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Why It Matters

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Nearly 80 percent of adults with emotional, intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. Many want to work and have the ability to contribute meaningfully, yet they face systemic challenges, from inaccessible hiring processes to limited training options, that keep them sidelined. The result is a cycle where disability and economic hardship reinforce each other.

Employment is one of the most powerful tools for breaking that cycle.

 

Work offers not only income but independence, confidence, and connection. And for employers, hiring individuals with disabilities means gaining loyal, hardworking team members who bring new perspectives and strengthen community trust.

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Building Awareness and Opportunity

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SEA’s role is both educational and practical. We aim to engage the broader Westport community, including employers, schools, civic groups, and neighbors, in conversations about inclusion and empowerment. Through community outreach, storytelling, and lived examples from our own programs, SEA demonstrates how inclusive hiring benefits everyone.

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At the Old Mill Grocery & Deli and other local training sites, SEA offers paid, on-the-job experiences where participants gain skills in retail, service, and hospitality. These programs prepare adults with disabilities to transition into long-term employment throughout the region, building bridges between ability, opportunity, and community.

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Our vision is simple: a Westport where everyone has a place to belong, to contribute, and to be valued. By connecting history, heart, and human potential, SEA is helping write a new chapter of community life, one rooted in dignity, inclusion, and shared success.