DTPHX Spotlight: Upward and Onward

The community in Downtown Phoenix is truly one-of-a-kind, with a spirit of progress and collaboration that sets the area apart. Upward and Onward is proud to offer a program that directly links future leaders to the foundation of Downtown, providing them with tangible, educational experiences that further strengthen this exceptional community. 

Upward and Onward is a groundbreaking initiative in Downtown Phoenix that aims to increase employment opportunities for graduating high school seniors with disabilities throughout the Phoenix Union High School District. By bridging the gap between local businesses seeking entry-level employees and students eager to embark on their professional journeys, the program is dedicated to cultivating meaningful employment relationships and opening doors to future career opportunities. 

Upward and Onward Class of 2020. (Photo: Upward and Onward)

A dedicated classroom on-site has turned CityScape into an extension of the Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD) campus, where students are taught by an instructor named Ian Walden, who is highly skilled in curriculum development. Ian’s focus is on workplace readiness, ensuring that students are not just learning theory but also engaging in practical experiences that prepare them for real-world scenarios. 

Tell me about your experience as a PUHSD Exceptional Student Services Instructor, specifically with the Upward and Onward program.  

I started working with PUHSD about sixteen years ago, teaching a range of students with disabilities on a typical comprehensive campus. I pursued the opportunity to work with Upward and Onward when it was still a pilot concept. We partnered with places like United Healthcare, RED Development, and Downtown Phoenix Inc. and have grown a lot over the past seven years. It’s been amazing to be a part of such an immersive experience in the inclusive environments of Downtown. 

The curriculum is tailored to accommodate businesses’ specific needs, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet realistic workplace expectations. This approach benefits the students and ensures that businesses can rely on a skilled and capable workforce. 

Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation Services supports each student in the program. Coaches work closely with businesses before an internship begins, ensuring that both the employer and the student are set up for success. 

How do the development coaching and vocational rehabilitation services that Upward and Onward offer prepare the students for future employment opportunities, particularly in terms of skill training and confidence building? 

One aspect of the support we provide in the classroom is conducting personality testing and transition-based assessments to determine what career characteristics students are interested in. This testing, paired with career exploration helps us introduce them to an industry at the base level that aligns with their future goals. We find that many skills and confidence building come into practice when they can interact with the teams at each company. The role modeling that happens there is phenomenal. Being exposed to a professional atmosphere and influential people is very motivating for our students who look up to them and want to emulate that in their own lives. 

Students interested in the program must apply and go through a selection process. Once selected, they must be interviewed to be placed in the program. The experience is designed to be as realistic as possible, mirroring the job application process they will encounter in the future. Throughout the school year, each student experiences three different work environments, with each trimester lasting nine weeks. This diverse exposure allows students to gain a wide range of skills and insights into various industries. 

Upward and Onward students on-site at their respective job locations. (Photo: Upward and Onward)

One of Upward and Onward’s standout features is its deep connection with the Downtown Phoenix business community. The program collaborates with multiple local businesses that are willing to host interns, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience. 

How do you collaborate with local businesses in DTPHX to ensure that employment opportunities are accessible and meaningful for students with disabilities? 

In addition to fostering relationships with local business owners, my job is to understand the company culture, what they are looking for, and what they can offer our students. What’s great about Downtown Phoenix and all the businesses down here is that they are all so willing to open their doors to create an educational environment. We work closely with the managers and take time to prepare the students to understand what will be expected of them in terms of professionalism and other factors. If we see a student who needs extra support, that’s where we’ll come in and help work on certain skills and get them up to speed. I have one rule for all my students: you try something you don’t want to do. This allows them to apply their skills somewhere that might be uncomfortable for them but will help them figure out what they like or maybe discover that they have an aptitude for an industry that they wouldn’t have gone for initially. We encourage them to try a different spot each trimester to compare opportunities before deciding on a path. 

Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) is a proud partner of this initiative and hired a full-time employee from the program, Tarver, to join the team of DTPHX Ambassadors in 2021. The Ambassadors play a crucial role in maintaining Downtown Phoenix’s dynamic and welcoming atmosphere, serving as guides and providing assistance to both residents and visitors.

Tell me about your experience with Upward and Onward. What were your goals when you initially started the program? 

Upward and Onward provided a great opportunity for me to learn so much about being accountable, showing up, and communicating with my supervisors and peers. I have overcome many challenges, such as having to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. It’s always been my dream to be a Downtown Phoenix Ambassador and a resource that people can come to for information or help navigating the area. 

What inspired your decision to ultimately join the Ambassador team as a full-time employee at Downtown Phoenix Inc.? 

When I first joined the team, I was nervous that I might be treated differently, but it has been like one big family, and everyone is so close and gets along well. It worked out well that I was able to continue working at DPI full-time after I graduated. I have learned so much since I have been here, like communicating with my team and being able to talk to a lot of different people.  

Upward and Onward is more than just a training program; it’s a beacon of opportunity for students with disabilities in Phoenix. By working closely with local businesses Downtown, the program is creating a brighter future for its participants, ensuring they have the tools and experiences necessary to succeed in the workforce. The success of this program not only benefits the students but also strengthens the entire Downtown Phoenix community, creating a more inclusive and diverse atmosphere. 

Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Phoenix Union High School District will continue to evolve their partnership this fall with the opening of a first-of-its-kind DTPHX Community Resource Hub. Upward & Onward will be one of 6 community partner organizations sharing this new collaborative information and deployment center, located in a former retail space at Central Avenue and Washington Street, on the east block of CityScape Phoenix. Other Community Resource Hub partners include Valley Metro, DTPHX Ambassadors, DPI’s dehp Outreach Navigators, the City of Phoenix’s Community Assistance Program (CAP), and the Downtown Operations Unit, Downtown Phoenix’s dedicated police force. The facility is scheduled to open in October.