What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Employ210, 501 W. César E. Chávez Boulevard, San Antonio, TX (2026)

08/06/2026

Employ 210 is currently recruiting for a virtual training opportunity designed for job seekers interested in pursuing educational careers. Open to individuals with various support needs (disability diagnosis required), this completely free training program will provide participants with practical skills expected of instructional assistants, tutors and substitute teachers. Thanks to Employ 210’s partnerships with San Antonio school districts, the training provides each participant with a direct referral to their preferred district.

Ideal candidates should be at least 18 years old; have a high school diploma or equivalent; be able to pass a background check; be independent, reliable, and responsible; demonstrate strong reading, writing, and communication skills; and be comfortable working with a variety of students and learning styles.

Training dates:

9 - 11 a.m. Monday, August 10 & Wednesday, August 12 (attendance for both dates is required for completion).

To register, visit employ210.com/events

Questions? Get in touch by emailing us at [email protected] or calling (726) 842-3895.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046

07/25/2026

We’re happy to report that the neurodiversity workshop Employ 210 hosted for Chick-fil-A managers back in June went so well that we were invited back for a presentation at their Kitty Hawk Road location in Universal City! Led by Project Manager Sierra Hernandez and Special Research Associate Kiana Leal, this second visit explored the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace through three interrelated sessions: “Foundations of Neurodiversity: Rethinking Workplace Talent,” “Supporting Neurodivergent Talent: Challenges, Accommodations, and Impact,” and “Function of Learned Behavior: Reinforcement, Punishment, Understanding Behavior.”

“One of the Chick-fil-A operators attended the full-day event we organized at Morgan’s MAC and asked us to create a more focused version for the Kitty Hawk location,” Leal explained.

While the Universal City restaurant already employs neurodivergent individuals, it’s open to hiring others and even working with Employ 210 “train up” — a free service we offer that provides existing employees with the tools to advance within the company.

“We had a great conversation with the Kitty Hawk team, and they’re really excited and receptive,” Hernandez added.

Importantly, Employ 210’s mission to narrow the employment gap for job seekers with disabilities aligns well with Chick-fil-A’s “Winning Hearts Every Day” initiative — a customer service and operational strategy that aims to make the brand the “world’s most caring company.”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Chick-fil-A Kitty Hawk Rd

07/23/2026

Earlier this summer, the Employ 210 team had the opportunity to observe Morgan’s Camp staffers and create a range of job-training “blueprints” that can be used as learning tools for new recruits. An offshoot of Morgan’s Wonderland, the ultra-accessible retreat welcomes campers from near and far — with and without special needs — and operates in a collaborative way. Partnering with likeminded nonprofits, Morgan’s Camp hosts campers and counselors from across the U.S. at a 102-acre facility on San Antonio’s Far North Side — with the staff being the only constant.

This week, Employ 210 Project Manager Sierra Hernandez and Community Partner Liaison Katie Holloway visited Morgan’s Camp to check in on staffers and measure the efficacy of the blueprints, which covered everything from leading outdoorsy activities to behavior management and the overall customer experience.

“When we did the training in May, we were all in one large room doing role-play exercises,” Hernandez explained. “But this week, we were able to watch the staff in action while they were leading activities and engaging with the campers.”

Illustrating the revolving nature of the guests at Morgan’s Camp, the visiting group was from Camp SAY, a two-week sleep-away camp that supports kids and teens who stutter by building “confidence, communication and community.”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Disability SATX

07/18/2026

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is an age-old adage that exists in multiple languages — including Spanish, French, and German — for good reason. Illustrating the ability of a single image to convey even complex ideas, the saying is particularly relevant to the picture cards Employ 210 team members use during training sessions for our Instructional Assistant and Substitute Teacher blueprint.

“We teach our instructional assistants how to utilize these tools to help support students in the classroom who may not always process verbal instructions or be able to communicate vocally,” Employ 210 Project Manager Sierra Hernandez explained. “Students can point to or hand a picture card to a communication partner to communicate their wants and needs.”

Beyond simply representing the image depicted, the cards can be used in groupings to illustrate a sequence of events.

“Picture cards can also be used as visual supports, such as on a First/Then board,” Hernandez continued. “A First/Then board helps students understand expectations by showing what they need to do first and what preferred activity will happen then. This provides a clear visual reminder of the sequence of activities so they can know what is being asked of them.”

Open to job seekers with varying disabilities, Employ 210’s training programs and Job Experience Events are ongoing. To stay informed of upcoming opportunities, fill out the general interest form on our website (Employ210.com), email us at [email protected], or call us at (726) 842-3895.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

07/16/2026

The Employ 210 team recently settled into a cheery new office in the Frio Building. Part of UT San Antonio’s Downtown Campus, the space is taking shape with a nice mix of natural light and inspirational decor — a winning recipe for fresh new ideas. On a recent morning, Project Manager Sierra Hernandez, Special Research Associate Kiana Leal, and Graduate Research Assistants Rubi Garcia and Kassandra Smith were all busily working at desks in one room before taking a break for an impromptu meeting with Project Director Dr. John Davis in the adjoining room.

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

07/10/2026

Save the date for Friday, August 14 for the San Antonio Disability Research Forum (SADRF) — a community event highlighting multidisciplinary disability-focused research taking place in San Antonio. Co-presented by Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) and the University of Texas at San Antonio, SADRF brings together community members, researchers and service providers for an enlightening day of presentations and networking opportunities. Featuring presentations by Employ 210 team members Dr. John Davis, Sierra Hernandez, Ashley Labay, Dr. Humberto Pena, and Dr. Hannah MacNaul, the forum will shed light on a broad range of topics including de-escalation strategies, employment challenges faced by autistic young adults, soft skills valued in the workplace, and the progress of our grant-funded program. Broken into three sessions with breaks in between, SADRF includes coffee, light breakfast fare, and lunch provided by Employ 210 business partners Good Cup Coffee Co. and Kostas Greek Food. Hosted by Morgan’s MAC, the event is free to attend, but advance registration is required at Employ210.com/events.

San Antonio Disability Research Forum
Friday, August 14, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center)
5210 Thousand Oaks Drive
Employ210.com/events

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

07/09/2026

Two years ago, Meredith Marks was living in a group home for autistic young adults and learning to become more independent with the support of a life coach. During her first week there, Marks started hosting the group home’s Friday socials, casual gatherings geared for young adults on the spectrum. When the home shuttered in November 2024, Marks transitioned into her own apartment and rebooted the Friday socials there. “I wanted to continue the legacy my life coach had started — but under a new name,” she explained. The new name? Neurospicy SA: Young Adult Friday Socials. “Think of the S.P.I.C.E.,” Marks’ website encourages: “Support, Promote, Involve, Connect, Educate.”

Although Marks initially launched Neurospicy SA as a meetup for neurodivergent young adults, she soon expanded its scope to welcome community members 18 and up. That expansion has continued and the organization now encompasses multiple programs and services that pop up in different locations across San Antonio.

Later this month, Neurospicy SA will be hosting a Grand Opening Fundraiser to celebrate its new status as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Set for July 25, the event will combine neurodivergent speakers, a Neurospicy art market, a silent auction, and a resource fair uniting various organizations including Employ 210.

Now that Neurospicy is established as a nonprofit, Marks hopes to see it expand even further. “My biggest goal is to help as many Neurospicy people as I can find connection and community in a world not built for them,” she said. “I’d like to have a Neurospicy LA, Neurospicy NY, Neurospicy Chicago, and more, and eventually be a national organization in my lifetime and under my leadership. … I take great pride in being a Neurospicy adult. Neurodivergence can be a superpower. It doesn’t have to be a disability. It helps us see the world in ways no one else can!”

Neurospicy SA Grand Opening Fundraiser
Free, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, Twinkle, 7666 Bandera Rd., neurospicysa.org

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

07/03/2026

Please join us in welcoming Jenny Rangel to the Employ 210 team! A self-described military brat who was born in Thailand, graduated from Southern New Hampshire University and calls the New Braunfels area home, Rangel grew up all over the place.

“Growing up in different parts of the world gave me an appreciation for different people, cultures, and perspectives,” Rangel explained. Before joining Employ 210, she worked as a special education transition coach at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, where she supported young adults with disabilities. “I’ve always been passionate about helping students and adults recognize their strengths and reach their potential,” Rangel continued. “Throughout my career, I’ve been especially drawn to supporting students and adults as they prepare for life after high school, helping them build independence, develop employment skills, and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.”

As an Employ 210 Special Research Associate, Rangel will focus on building partnerships with local businesses along with training programs to expand opportunities for students and adults with disabilities. “I’ll be helping students and adults with postsecondary education, job training, and employment experiences while working collaboratively to strengthen programs that support successful transitions from school to adulthood,” she said.

Welcome to the team, Jenny, and cheers to great things ahead!

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

07/02/2026

Employ 210 Project Director Dr. John Davis and Project Manager Sierra Hernandez recently traveled to Crystal City, Virginia, to attend the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Directors Conference. Uniting DIF grantees from across the country, the conference featured expert-led sessions highlighting real-world lessons, scalable solutions, and collaborative opportunities to strengthen services for individuals with disabilities. Among the sessions they attended, Hernandez was impressed by “The Employer’s Perspective” and the “Innovation at Work Showcase.”

“‘The Employer’s Perspective’ was interesting because it was a live taping of the VR Workforce Studio Podcast,” Hernandez said. “They discussed an employer called Enabled Intelligence that utilizes skills-based hiring practices.”

“During the ‘Innovation at Work Showcase,’ I got to speak with DIF grantees and see some of the tools they’ve created,” Hernandez continued. “One of these included the University of Wisconsin, which developed an AI-enabled early-risk detection system that provides human-centered support. It’s a tool that helps people with disabilities stay employed and supports retention by catching risks early on and connecting them to help. I also got to try out the virtual reality tool that Volunteers of America in Houston are utilizing to help job seekers explore different jobs to identify their interests.”

Davis and Hernandez also had the opportunity to speak with other DIF grantees during “Advice Exchange Matchmaking,” a structured networking mixer.

“During the networking opportunity, we met grantees from all over the U.S. and discussed some of the barriers we have been facing as well as things that have been helpful to us,” Hernandez explained. “I met professionals from the vocational rehabilitation space, people working in higher education and continuing education, and people who manage multiple school districts all at once. They offered some key advice on how they get stakeholder buy-in and strategies for long-term sustainability of their projects.”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

06/28/2026

Since our launch in 2024, Employ 210 has developed a range of job-training “blueprints” built around employee shadowing, task-based role play and simulated workplace scenarios. By the time our participants “graduate” from a training program, they’ve already practiced key tasks of the job at hand. This hands-on experience gives Employ 210 participants a big advantage when they apply to work with one of our San Antonio business partners.

Geared for individuals with varying disabilities who are interested in pursuing a career in education, our Instructional Assistant and Substitute Teacher blueprint is a two-part program. After completing the training portion, participants are encouraged to volunteer at Camp Durango — a program for autistic youth that’s organized by UT San Antonio’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department.

An early success story, Employ 210 participant Naythan Gutierrez completed our Instructional Assistant and Substitute Teacher program and is now working as a substitute paraprofessional. A San Antonio native who graduated from San Antonio Independent School District, Naythan confirmed that the training prepared him for his first job.
“The trainers were very nice and helpful, and I enjoyed my time with them,” he said. “[Employ 210 Project Manager] Sierra Stegemann was genuinely helpful. She was easy to communicate with when I needed help.”

When asked about a typical day on the job, Naythan explained that it involves supporting students and teachers alike. “A typical day at work consists of helping students and some staff,” he said. “With kids in special education classes, I’m making sure they stay safe, have a good day, and get help with schoolwork. With staff, it’s making copies, dropping off papers to teachers, or watching the students while teachers have a meeting. I enjoy assisting in the special education classes the most.”
Reflecting on his experience supporting autistic youth at Camp Durango, Naythan continued, “I know [my experience at] Camp Durango helped me get my job. If I had not received an option to volunteer, I don’t think I would be working now in my field.”

Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Grant Number H421F240046.

Employ210

08/06/2026

07/25/2026

07/23/2026

07/18/2026

07/16/2026

07/10/2026

07/09/2026

07/03/2026

07/02/2026

06/28/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm