Focus on Economic Opportunity: Dutton Farm helps
adults with disabilities
find employment

Tim Kassa felt like he almost had it all — a loving family, a longtime girlfriend, an active social life — but something important was missing from his life.

For years, Kassa had searched for a job. His dream was to work with animals. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, further complicating his search. That’s when he reached out to Dutton Farm for help.

Dutton Farm is a Rochester Hills-based nonprofit whose mission is to empower and support adults with disabilities so they can live a life of purpose, inclusion and dignity. It offers a variety of programs including Adult Education, Community Involvement, Art Without Limits and Workforce Development.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan recently made a $50,000 grant to help expand the Workforce Development program at Dutton Farm. The grant aligns with our Economic Opportunity focus area, which creates pathways to stable employment, entrepreneurship and financial security for individuals and families. In addition to making community grants in this area, we also manage related initiatives including the New Economy Initiative and the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership.

Community Foundation support helps narrow talent gap

The Dutton Farm program connects participants with competitively paid employment opportunities that align with their strengths and interests, and then provides on-the-job support to help them succeed.

“The unemployment rate of people with disabilities is astronomical. When you tease out the developmental disabilities population, it’s upward of 80% unemployment,” Dutton Farm CEO Jenny Brown says. “We’re able to partner with businesses that have a staffing problem and pair them with a pool of talent that’s eager, ready and excited to fill these positions. So, we’re able to meet a need in the business community that uplifts the entire economy.”

With a 63% labor participation rate in southeast Michigan, according to the American Community Survey, employers often struggle to fill open positions. Meanwhile, adults with disabilities frequently face barriers to employment that keep them from joining the workforce. These include discrimination, lack of support and accommodation, limited access to training and education, social stigma, and financial challenges such as limited access to transportation or affordable housing.

The Workforce Development program at Dutton Farm, with support from the Community Foundation, breaks down these barriers and narrows the talent gap between employers and adults with developmental disabilities in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

‘I love this job … I feel blessed’

In June, Dutton Farm helped Kassa land his dream job at Companion Pet Lodge in Waterford Township. For four hours a day, three days a week, Kassa cleans bowls, does laundry, fills water, plays with the dogs and performs other vital tasks at the busy boarding facility.

“These are my babies. They call me Uncle Timmy,” Kassa jokes as the delighted dogs chase a ball he’s thrown for them. “I love this job. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. All the people love me here, and I have the best boss in the world. I feel grateful. I’m blessed.”

Kassa’s employers, Bill and Debby Lawrence, say having him on staff has been a win-win.

It’s been huge because this is a family business, and there’s a lot of responsibilities, Tim taking care of the little dogs lifted such a burden off of us. It’s freed up a lot of time to help us grow. It’s exciting to see we can help people like Tim and Dutton Farm, while they help us.”

Bill Lawrence