The Sierra Group Academy

08/20/2026

Gone But Not Forgotten: Jeffrey Lynn Wooten (RIP 1958 - 2024), alumni Tribute 10 years ago today, with Marie Palladino.

08/13/2026

Employed!

Jeremiah graduated from Sierra on January 30th, 2026.

Stopped by on his day off from work to return his loaner laptop!

Made my day!

07/27/2026

Event Update: Story Sharing Hour Postponed

Thanks to the amazing response from our recent Alumni Launch Event, we're busy following up with alumni and fostering new connections. To give these conversations room to grow, we're moving our Virtual Story Sharing Hour to the last Thursday of August.

DATE: August 27, 2026
TIME: 12:00–1:00 PM (Lunch hour!)
WHERE: Zoom

DM us for the Zoom link, and feel free to invite a friend! We can't wait to connect with you then.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting with you on August 27th!

07/21/2026

PSA for Our Community

PA Housing is currently accepting Section 8 vouchers. If this resource may benefit you or someone you know, please visit their official website for more information and application details.

*Sierra Group Academy is not affiliated with PA Housing and is sharing this information solely as a community resource.

PA Housing is now accepting Section 8 vouchers. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications via the link in our bio. We welcome everyone and invite you to review our website and property portfolio to select the best option for you. Thank you ☺️.

07/08/2026

CONGRATS! Brian Carpenter EMPLOYED as Special Education Van Driver!

We checked in with Brian after employment since November 2025. https://zoom.us/clips/share/S13Hbbx7TRKp5iIDZ-2cIw

Shout outs to Krise Transportation for hiring Brian, and to collaboration with those involved in his post graduation placement including Harrisburg OVR's, Karen Conrad.

Visit our website for more success stories and learn about our mission to “Drive up employment for Americans with disabilities”. https://www.thesierragroupacademy.org/graduate-success/

06/26/2026

Learning Evokes FEELING!

Here’s how SGA students FELT today, having successfully completed their GROUP PowerPoint Presentations!

"Satisfied", "Happy & connected”, “Good”,
“Jumpstarted!”, “Encouraged,” “Inspired,”
"It felt good being part of a team” “Proud”,
“Connected”, “Excellent”, “Strong”,
AND — "Teamwork makes the dreamwork!!”

06/10/2026

Annual Community Job Fair at Temple University! “Our job seeking graduates were on point at this years Job Fair”. Director Janet Fiore attends to grow more business partnerships.

Temple UniversityAramarkSeth AcostaDanny LopezJanet Louise

05/22/2026

CONGRATS! Jenien Green EMPLOYED as CSR!
We looked back at her graduation ceremony.
https://zoom.us/clips/share/kR6fk2LMRr6dVqNtBfVoKA
Shout outs to Wawa for hiring Jenien, and to collaboration with those involved in her post graduation placement including: Philadelphia OVR's, John Kronbar, Sally Belli, Tasha Carter, Job Coaching from Merakey, and the Office of the First Lady for making the Wawa partnership a reality for adults with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth.
Visit our website for more success stories and learn about our mission to “Drive up employment for Americans with disabilities”.
https://www.thesierragroupacademy.org/graduate-success/

05/14/2026

Sweet memories of events past...

Linda (Richman) Dezenski (Academy co-founder/current board member)
Eliot Spindel (our first Webmaster)RIP dear friend - we miss your wisdom, wit and amazing talents.

And .... is that Vilma from Magee?

05/06/2026

The Honorable Katherine McCary led last night’s Gala, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the DC Metro chapter of the BLN (now Disability:IN). I vividly remember when Katherine was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Council on Disability—truly the 'early days' of businesses uniting to champion disability employment.

I wouldn’t have missed this milestone for anything. Held at a prestigious K Street law firm, the evening brought together leaders from across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker kicked off the program, while the Presidents of the National Organization on Disability and the World Institute on Disability commended the DC Metro chapter and looked ahead to the Disability20 (D20 2026) summit.

For me, the highlight was reconnecting with long-time co-advocates, including Steven Nissen, Sr. Policy Director at ODEP, Lou Orslene from the Job Accommodation Network, Lori Golden (the retired inclusion champion from EY), and Ann Deschamps, Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center. It was also an honor to meet DC Metro founder Cynthia Richardson-Crooks.

A final kudos to my digital accessibility 'go-to,' Eduardo Meza-Etienne of Navy Federal Credit Union, for his powerful remarks. Eduardo, we’d love to have you on our podcast soon to discuss the intersection of digital accessibility, enterprise strategy, and AI.
What a night!

As Helen Keller pointed out back in the 1920s…“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. Helen, your wisdom rings true today, and Katherine, thank you for keeping this spirit alive via the DC Metro’s 20-year history! I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will bring.

Janet D. Fiore,
Sierra Group Academy Director