Stacie Peregrin likes working at Avenues because she likes the work and the people she works with.

Avenues provides individuals with developmental or acquired disabilities the opportunity to be employed while providing supporting services to business and industry, such as product assembly, mailing preparation, piece rate work, shredding and janitorial services.

“I like the work,” Peregrin said. “It’s a good opportunity for me. It helps me get out of the house for awhile and get to see my friends and the staff.”

Kim Noel, manager of marketing and special events for Avenues, said the program - which began as United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) in Pottsville in 1952 and is still headquartered there - provides two different options: the vocational option and an adult day support program. The vocational programs are located in the former Sleeprite/Jack L. Honig building on South Poplar Street on Hazleton Heights, and Market Street in Pottsville.

The adult day care program, called PossAbilities, is also present at the Hazleton and Pottsville locations, as well as Mahanoy City and Milton.

Avenues personnel also man the canteen at the Schuylkill County Courthouse.

“We are competitive,” Noel said. “We are there for businesses struggling with employment. They can outsource some of their work to us, support the community and get good quality work done. We are looking for businesses to partner with.”

The PossAbilities program is a service for individuals with disabilities to become integrated into their community, learn living skills and enjoy social activities.

Avenues serves individuals and businesses in Schuylkill, Luzerne and Northumberland counties. In Carbon, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties, Avenues’ employees work for driver’s license photo centers.

Anyone interested in Avenues programs can contact Vincent Alessandri in Hazleton at 570-501-1005, or Terri Moyer in Pottsville at 570-628-5316.

You can also visit avenuesofpa.org on the internet.