Cheshire CommonsCheshire, Connecticut
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Portrait of James Whitfield, Program Director

James Whitfield

Program Director, Job Training & Mentoring

James runs the day-to-day mentoring and job training programs that this venue exists to support. He's spent his career building hands-on skills programs for adults with special needs, and he still leads sessions himself most weeks.

Education

  • M.Ed. in Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University
  • B.A. in Psychology, University of Hartford

Career

  • Program Director, Cheshire Commons (2023–present)
  • Vocational Skills Instructor, Cheshire Public Schools Transition Program (2016–2023)
  • Job Coach, Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (2011–2016)

Accomplishments

  • Designed the venue's hands-on hospitality training curriculum used in every job training cohort
  • Placed dozens of program graduates into paid positions at local businesses
  • Regularly invited to speak at regional workforce-development conferences on inclusive hiring

Looking ahead

James wants to grow the mentoring program's employer network so every graduate has a paid job lined up before they finish training, not just a certificate.