Highland Chocolates is located in Wellsboro, PA and provides vocational training and employment for adults with disabilities who, along with staff members, make and package the chocolates while learning valuable job skills.

Our chocolate factory tours are a top-rated tourist activity in the area and our motto is “Extraordinary Chocolates by Extraordinary People.” Highland Chocolates is famous for our pretzel bark and also offers hundreds of different molded chocolates, sweet snack mixes, fudge, and handcrafted chocolate gifts for any occasion.

To learn more or place an order please visit:

https://www.highlandchocolates.org/

My Neighbors’ Closet currently provides job training skills to Individuals with disabilities to help them prepare for a career in a retail setting.

Located at 382 S. Main St. (next to Partners In Progress main office), My Neighbors’ Closet offers new and gently used clothing, houseware, décor, toys, books and more. The store also stocks an assortment of locally made food products including Highland Chocolates, Wilson’s Maple Syrup, Orchowski’s Honey, and more. Helium balloon bouquets are available for any special occasion. They also are a Faxon Cleaners’ dry cleaning pickup/drop off spot along with our own on-site wash and fold laundry services. My Neighbors’ Closet also provides the community safe and secure personal document shredding.

Visit Site Page!

Our experienced mobile cleaning crews are well-trained, supervised, and insured. We perform custodial services at 42 different locations including churches, homes, offices, businesses, and government offices throughout Tioga County and the surrounding area.

We currently have approximately 45 Individuals with disabilities working in custodial services.

To find out how to hire Partners In Progress cleaning and custodial services, call 570-662-1876 or email coreyj@partnerspip.com or kathyh@partnerspip.com

Adult day programs provided by Partners In Progress offer a wide variety of structured activities, social interaction and skill-building opportunities that enrich the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We focus on community involvement and provide an array of engaging activities to help Individuals grow and reach their goals while developing new hobbies and interests. Depending on each person’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP), he or she may take part in goal-driven classes or activities involving: educational learning experiences, reading, hobbies/arts and crafts, recreation and fitness, cooking and personal appearance.

Our staff provides personalized support and Individualized training to boost Individuals’ confidence and help them learn new skills. In addition, we encourage adults to participate in group activities where they can interact with other members of the day program and the community.

We help each person find a day program that is right for them and meet goals that enhance their lives for the better.

Contact Partners In Progress for more information on our adult day programs at 570-662-7026.

Since 1997, Partners In Progress has partnered with local businesses to secure job placements for countless Individuals.

PIP puts people with disabilities to work in a variety of industries and businesses throughout the community. PIP provides individual job placement, on-the-job training, and ongoing training and support within the local labor force. We also can provide in-house disability training for a business’ employees.

Employer Benefits:

• No cost for hiring or training employees

• Financial incentives, including tax credits

• People who have a disability are dedicated and motivated employees with low turnover rates.

• PIP matches employers with the right employee for the job

• Work with job developers who understand your business needs

• Highly experienced & well-trained management staff

• Dedicated, conscientious job coaches

• Community benevolence

School-to-Work Transition:

• Students are provided training and learn skills to prepare them to enter the job market.

Transition house:

• Students work on life skills to help them transition to adulthood in a natural home setting. Students learn about personal finance, planning/organizing/scheduling, grooming/self-care, household management, community involvement, career development and more.

Work experience:

• Students are provided with work-based learning opportunities including job shadowing, simulated work tasks, apprenticeships, and more.

Recreational services:

• Partners In Progress offers local inclusive summer camps for youth with and without disabilities through Camp Partners and Partners Summer Adventure Program.

In Home Community Supports (IHCS):

• Individuals reside in the communities of their choosing with assistance from trained Staff so that they may succeed and flourish in their own homes. Individuals typically rent their own homes and are responsible for paying all associated expenses. Staff assist these Individuals in areas such as banking, budgeting, bill paying, health maintenance, taking medications, grocery shopping, hygiene, housekeeping, socialization, cooking, and laundry. The amount of support provided is dependent upon the Individual’s needs. The program is geared to Individuals who are able to live independently in the community yet require some support to do so.

Community Living Arrangements (CLA):

• The CLA service offers the opportunity for Individuals with disabilities to live in the community in a safe and caring environment. This service encourages personal growth and self-sufficiency using a learning approach that is tailored to meet the needs of each Individual. Often known as Group Homes, Staff are present around the clock and provide assistance, support, and guidance in the general areas of self-care, health maintenance, decision making, home management, managing personal resources, communication, mobility, socialization and participating in the community at large.

Life Sharing:

• Consists of a careful match between a family or community member and an Individual with a disability. A successful family-Individual match is one that is based on common interests, goals, and beliefs. Providers (families) are carefully screened and receive extensive pre-service and in-service training. Families are contracted for their participation and receive a stipend.

Companion Services:

• Companion Services are provided to Individuals 18 years old and up who live in private homes. Staff provides supervision or assistance that is designed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the Individual and support the Individual in performing daily living activities. This service is intended to assist the Individual to participate more meaningfully in home and community life.

Partners In Progress supports the outsourcing and employment needs of local businesses while providing jobs for people with disabilities.

• Our Vocational Training Facility (VTF) offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn essential work skills while earning a paycheck.

• VTF enhances work and social skills to assist with transitioning to employment within the community.

• VTF supports the assembly and packaging needs of local businesses while providing jobs.

• PRODUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Collating, Folding, Inserting, and Labeling

• Parts Assembly

• Bagging and Packaging of Parts

• Sorting

• Mail Services

• To learn more about how Partners In Progress can provide your business with excellent employees, please contact information@partnerspip.com or 570-662-7026.

Supported Employment:

• Supports Individuals in obtaining and sustaining employment in the community.

Transitional Work:

• Supports Individuals as they transition into integrated employment in the community.

Pre-Vocational Job Coaching:

• Assists Individuals in developing the job skills required for competitive employment.

Job Finding:

• Assists individuals through all stages of a job search from resume writing and interviewing skills to learning the job and on-the-job counseling.

Camp Partners:

• Camp Partners is an integrated day camp that operates during the summer. A wide range of youth ages 5-21, with and without disabilities attend. The camp provides valued, consistent activities throughout the summer to promote independence, growth, self-esteem and self-worth. Camp Partners has provided over 20 years of secure, structured recreational and academic activities for our County’s school aged youth. The camp is held from 9:00am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

• It is staffed by qualified, trained counselors. Camp counselors are hired to work directly with the children enrolled in the camp and staff/child ratio is dependent upon the child’s level of personal care needs. A remarkable percentage of counselors return year after year to work at camp. This low turnover provides stability, loyalty and a high quality of professionalism. All staff participate in an orientation program, CPR and First Aid training, as well as instruction on working with children who are disabled. Training dealing with the importance of following and implementing the goals of an IEP is also included. Staff are required to have criminal background checks and child abuse clearances. Staff are responsible for daily clean-up of the facility.

• Our day camp offers age appropriate activities such as team sports/games, arts and crafts, swimming, academics and snack. Campers participate in educational programs centered on the summer’s theme. ‘Brain Builders’ is daily academic time and is when IEP goals or grade appropriate skills are practiced. Educational field trips and guest speakers are offered periodically.

• Parents are required to furnish medical and emergency information to the camp staff before enrollment. The information will include a medical examination and a free from communicable disease statement. It will be necessary for parents to sign an authorization for medical treatment in case of a medical emergency.

• We continue to be the only camp in the area of our kind, focusing on an inclusive program open to all youth in Tioga County. Contact Jasonh@partnerspip.com or Ashleyw@partnerspip.com at 570-662-7026 for more information.

Partners Summer Adventure Program (PSAP) :

• PSAP is a summer day program for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum or who need a smaller group size to be successful. PASP provides valued, consistent activities throughout the summer to promote independence, growth, self-esteem and self-worth for transition aged youth. The programs focus is on life and community integration skills, social skills training and peer modeling and inclusion. The camp is held from 9:00am until 3:00 pm. The days of the week vary from year to year based on the needs of the Individuals.

• The staff operate the Transition House program during the school year and participate in an orientation program, CPR and First Aid training as well as instruction on working with individuals with autism and other disabilities. Trainings dealing with the importance of following and implementing the goals of an IEP are also included. Staff are required to have criminal background checks and child abuse clearances.

• PSAP’s location allows the program to access local attractions such as the library, restaurants, the YMCA, community parks and the pool. This accessible facility includes a fully equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer allowing the students to participate in independent living readiness activities.

• PSAP offers age appropriate activities such as games, arts and crafts, swimming, academics and food preparation. Students will participate in educational programs based on their interests as well as an academic component where IEP goals are addressed. Educational and social field trips are also offered regularly. Campers benefit from reviewing goals such as providing training in independent living skills, developmentally responsible behaviors to enhance educational competency, citizen requirements and activities to promote responsible decision making at home and in the community. Contact Ashley at ashleyw@partnerspip.com or call 570-662-1884 for more information.