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WSFS Loves Small Businesses: Pride Paws Delivers on Their Mission to Provide Meaningful Employment and Life Skills for People with Developmental Disabilities
running-a-business | Read Time: 3 minutes
By Eric Springer | Published: December 2021
Through December 16, WSFS Bank and FOX 29 are teaming up each week to honor a small business in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region that lifts the spirits of others by going above and beyond to serve their customers and communities. WSFS Bank is proud to provide Pride Paws with a $1,000 award, a live segment on FOX 29’s Good Day Philadelphia and Random Acts of Kindness for their customers as part of the WSFS Bank Loves Small Businesses Holiday Program.
Founded in 2009 by the Ritzel family Pride Paws started as a nonprofit organization in a church basement making dog treats, with the goal of offering transitional employment experiences for people with developmental disabilities.
The Ritzels wanted their son, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and others to have an opportunity to gain meaningful employment in their lives, participating in running the day-to-day operations of a business and teaching life skills with the help volunteer “job coaches.”
When you visit Pride Paws’ Medford, NJ store today, you will be greeted by the store’s manager, Erica Richman, and the program’s participants. Ranging from 18-29 years old, participants track inventory, create the bi-weekly schedule, prepare payroll and bake dog treats, while also assembling and creating additional items for sale in the store!
Check out Pride Paws on Good Day Philadelphia!
About the Author – Eric Springer
Eric Springer is Assistant Vice President, Integrated Communications Manager at WSFS Bank. He brings more than 15 years’ experience in corporate communications and marketing for banking, professional services and nonprofit organizations.
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