Project Spark Event Aims to Connect Individuals with Job Opportunities and Support Services
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host “Ignite Your Future: A Project Spark Event” on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, designed to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) access employment opportunities and transition to competitive wages.
The free resource fair, open to credentialed media and the public, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carolina Pines Community Center, located at 2305 Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh.
Comprehensive Employment Support Services
Project Spark, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, was created by NCDHHS to assist people with I/DD in exploring, preparing for, and maintaining employment within their communities. The initiative specifically focuses on helping individuals transition from subminimum wage positions to competitive, integrated employment alongside their peers.
Attendees at the Ignite Your Future event will have access to a wide range of services and resources, including:
- One-on-one benefits counseling with certified counselors
- Group information sessions
- Connections with vocational rehabilitation providers
- Independent living support resources
- Assistive technology demonstrations
- Healthcare services information
Networking and Peer Support Opportunities
The event will feature open-table networking throughout the day, allowing participants to build connections with service providers and fellow community members. A peer mentor panel will take place during the lunch break, offering firsthand insights and experiences from individuals who have successfully navigated the employment landscape.
Registration and Participation Details
Registration is free and open to the public through an online portal. While pre-registration is required for complimentary lunch, walk-ins are welcome to attend any portion of the event.
The initiative aligns with Project Spark’s broader mission to enhance economic opportunity and independence for North Carolinians with I/DD. The program provides personalized guidance and ongoing support, including benefits counseling, job placement services, job coaching, assistance from trained I/DD peer mentors, and post-employment follow-up services.
Building Economic Independence
As Project Spark continues its work across North Carolina, events like Ignite Your Future embody the program’s core goal of enabling individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to earn competitive wages, build meaningful workplace relationships, and make valuable contributions to their communities.
The resource fair represents a significant step forward in connecting individuals with I/DD and their families to the tools and support systems necessary for successful employment outcomes in an integrated work environment.
