Ray Graham Partners with Walgreens to Provide Job Skills to People with Disabilities

Ray Graham Association, based in Elmhurst, joined Walgreens in the Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative, REDI, which offers hands-on training for people with disabilities to prepare for employment at Walgreens retail locations, as well as with other retailers. Walgreens works closely with organizations like Ray Graham Association to prepare participants for responsibilities that include cash register operations, customer service, merchandising, store inventory and maintaining store signage and displays.

With an anticipated enrollment of 40 participants, Ray Graham Association is committing staff and resources to ensure the success of the externs.

President and CEO of Ray Graham Association Kim Zoeller said, “Walgreens is a leader and values the benefits of hiring people with people intellectual and developmental disabilities and as an organization we place a high priority efforts that result in employment. We believe this is a win-win situation.”

"Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative is a fantastic program and we're happy to see it implemented in Illinois and preparing so many deserving candidates in our area,” Illinois State Rep. Patricia Bellock, (R-47th District) said.

Walgreens launched REDI in Illinois in November 2011. Walgreens provides extensive training to participating externs and Ray Graham Association staff, who supplement the program with job coaching support.

"Through REDI, we are allowed to provide an opportunity for people to show us skills they have that otherwise may have gone unnoticed," said Walgreens General Manager of Willowbrook location Wayne Buerger.

Source: Ray Graham Association