720Connects Provides Lifestyle Boutique Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities to Live and Thrive in Society with Dignity.

Together, We Can Reduce Financial Insecurity

Founded in 2017, the 720Connects nonprofit organization works to decrease the economic disparity in entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for people living with intellectual disabilities. With nearly two-thirds of the 60 million Americans with disabilities being underemployed, underrepresented and underpaid the gap in employment opportunities and labor participation has long existed. Nearly 42% of people with intellectual disabilities have received work related training; however, 25% of them reported that the training they received was insufficient and discouraged them from looking for work. The 34% of Americans ages 21-64 living with an intellectual disability that are participating in the labor force work in a sheltered setting, do not work full time and earn less than the minimum wage.

The goal of 720Connects is to serve as a community of opportunity stewards for our intellectually disabled clients. Our organization provides lifelong access to entrepreneurial/business training, business management support, employment via our business partnerships, employee support via our case managers and volunteers, financial literacy, investment training, technology, wellness, nutrition, health, travel training, continued education, life skills and affordable quality housing. Our clients are recognized for their creative abilities, encouraged to nurture their abilities to produce products that generate multiple streams of income all while using dancing to the beat of their own drum and inspiring others.

Adults with intellectual disabilities remain unemployed and underemployed despite their ability, desire and willingness to work. The gap between working-age adults with disabilities in the labor force is more than twice as high as those working-age adults in the labor force without disabilities. 720Connects provides barriers to bridge the gap by developing career opportunities that create economic sustainability for our clients. We are extremely optimistic in our ability to reduce the gap within our organization and with the help of our volunteers, sponsors and contributions from our donors a future of economic stability for adults with intellectual disabilities is on the horizon.