Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)

About SWEP

The Summer Work Experience Program is a four-week employment program designed to provide a meaningful work experience to high schoolers with disabilities. These summer work programs for high school students aim to smooth the transition into the working world. By the end of our programming, students learn to embrace their roles as employees and coworkers. 

SWEP involves multiple 4-5 hour shifts throughout the work week. There, our participants experience new jobs and plan for what’s next. Employers teach high schoolers how to work with quality, speed and independence through skills such as:

• Effective Communication

• Taking Direction 

• Coping with Change

• Self-Advocacy 

• Task Focus

The Benefits of the Summer Work Programs 

There are countless advantages of getting a summer job in high school  — especially for students who have a disability. The main benefits of our youth employment services include​​: 

Exploration 

Paraquad partners with multiple work sites, where participants may explore tasks such as unpacking products, bagging groceries, setting tables or cleaning bathrooms. By engaging in these summer work programs for high school students, individuals will discover their interests, strengths and goals. 

Responsibility 

For any teen, a summer job is the first step in learning personal responsibility.  The Summer Work Experience Program teaches participants how to be accountable for their actions by arriving on time, completing tasks assigned to them and handling their paycheck. 

Readiness 

Paraquad empowers our participants to build their resumes in a supportive environment. Job coaches remain available on each job site throughout a participant’s shift. With guidance, our youth employment services foster a foundation of skills for the future, such as how to perform well in the workplace, interact with others and more.

Eligibility Requirements

Paraquad is proud to offer supportive summer work programs for high school students. However, our space is limited. To meet our eligibility requirements, participants must have a documented disability and: 

• Be 16-21 years of age.

• Be returning to school in the fall. 

• Reside in St. Louis County.

• Commit to work the full eight weeks of SWEP.

• Be able to work under the supervision of a Job Coach.

• Provide your own transportation to and from the worksite.

• Have a completed Teacher Input Form on file.

Each year, funding is available to support approximately 200 participants. If applications exceed this, the oldest eligible applicants will be selected to participate in our youth employment services. 

Participant Locations

SWEP is available at multiple participating agencies throughout St. Louis. Participants are only assigned to Paraquad if they fall in the applicable geographic range. Our summer work programs for high school students typically serve public school systems in the following areas: 

• Mid-County

• Clayton

• Overland

• Richmond Heights

• University City 

• Olivette

• Pagedale

• Berkeley

• Maplewood

Register for Youth Employment Services 

Paraquad’s Summer Work Experience Program opens applications well before the summer starts. Applications typically open in February and close in April — we welcome you to contact us early so that our team can secure a space for you. 

For more information on Paraquad’s youth employment services, contact Employment Director Candice Zottarelle at 314-289-6269 or czottarelle@paraquad.org.