A new hotel in Clemson is working to provide employment opportunities to a vital segment of people here in South Carolina.
The Shepherd Hotel, Clemson’s only downtown hotel, is aiming to decrease the unemployment rate for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Shepherd Hotel has partnered with ClemsonLIFE to help prepare individuals with intellectual disabilities for employment. ClemsonLIFE, “a program at Clemson University offers a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of academic coursework and career exploration.”
The program is helping to identify the strengths of individuals interested in working at the boutique hotel and training them accordingly.
The goal of the hotel is “to approach the employment of individuals with special needs as a business challenge rather than one designated to social services.”
Students are eagerly anticipating the opening of the hotel, which is expected to be in April 2022.