Programs

Concessions training

The H.E.A.R.T. Program has provided job training and placement in concessions stands at high-profile venues including the Toyota Center, NRG Stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium, the Houston Open PGA Tour, the Freedom Over Texas 4th of July Festival, and many more events. H.E.A.R.T. provides job training at over 150 concession events annually. Skills included are basic food handling, inventory, hands-on training, job readiness, cashiering, and more.

vending machine training

Trainees at H.E.A.R.T. operate and maintain over 80 vending machines throughout the Houston area. They participate in the entirety of the vending operations – from product inventory and restocking to cash handling and counting. Trainees must acquire the necessary skills, including sorting, labeling, counting and batching, and inventory processes

HEART-CVS

In partnership with CVS Health, H.E.A.R.T. is excited to offer a 10-week retail training program!  This program is ideal for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are interested in working in a retail environment.  There is no cost to attend this program.  Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

During the program, you will experience:

  • Retail & Customer Service Curriculum
    You will learn: communication skills, restocking, inventory, ways to interact with customers –  offered via a hybrid of Zoom and in-person classes.
  • Learn in a CVS “Mock Store” Environment
    Phase II is where you will have hands-on training and practice all the skills you have learned.
  • Externship Opportunity in a CVS Store*
    This will be the final portion of the training. You will be placed in a CVS store to complete an 80-hour externship.

TRANSITION & summer internship

Located at the Houston Food Bank, H.E.A.R.T. Partners with Houston I.S.D. and Channelview I.S.D. to provide work training to their students with I/DD.

H.E.A.R.T. also offers two 4-week sessions to individuals with I/DD ages 15-21 who are interested in a summer internship experience or would like to experience a workplace environment.  Participants will receive instruction on job skills and hands-on training as well as leadership and advocacy training.  Upon completion of the internship, participants will receive a transcript of all the skills learned and hours trained during the session.  There is no cost to attend this internship program.

RIDE WITH H.E.A.R.T.

The H.E.A.R.T. Program has a team of drivers who provide transportation to job sites from the H.E.A.R.T. facility for trainees.