Welcome to Pletho
We empower inclusion, foster potential & provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide job training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, with a focus on young adults transitioning from the public school system.
Our Focus
We believe that having opportunities for fulfilling work helps people become integrated and engaged with their community and allows them to shape their own lives.
Under federal law, public school systems are obligated to provide educational services for students with disabilities until they graduate or turn 21, whichever comes first.
Individuals who receive public school services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are not automatically eligible for continued adult services when they “age out” of the public school system. Disabled youth may face challenges when leaving the public school system, including difficulty finding employment. The result is that some young disabled adults fall into poverty. It is widely reported that the poverty rate for working-age people with disabilities is more than double that for people without disabilities.
What We Do
PLETHO means “to fulfill” or “to be fulfilled” and its meaning aligns with our mission and beliefs. We recognize the obstacles encountered by disabled persons in becoming employed, and we are working to provide them with job training to gain vital skills and social readiness for the workplace. We believe in their potential and value the contributions they can make in the workplace.
Board of Trustees
Denise Caamano
Denise holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Monmouth University. Her career has spanned various roles, including positions in hospitals and nursing homes, and she has served as the Director of Social Services at a sub-acute rehabilitation facility. For over fifteen years, Denise has been a High School Social Worker, specializing in case management, disability services, and transition planning. Her experience includes collaboration with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS). Denise is a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families, firmly believing that the synergy between work and community involvement is empowering.
In addition to her professional achievements, Denise is a mother of two and is a mentor for parents of children with craniosynostosis. She views advocacy at all levels as both therapeutic and educational. Denise is committed to leveraging her extensive experience and knowledge to help Pletho create exceptional opportunities for preparing our members for the workforce.
Sally Cashel
Sally brings her life experience and passion to improving the futures for disabled persons aging out of the school system. Sally is the mother of six children, including a son who is autistic and intellectually disabled.
Sally has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University and her first job was in the oil refining industry. She later pivoted to a career in STEM education and added a Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum, also from Drexel. Sally currently teaches physics and chemistry to public high school students, including students with disabilities.
Like many other parents of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Sally is concerned about them finding fulfilling work after graduating from the school system. She’s keenly aware that there aren’t enough jobs available to disabled persons and that there’s a critical need for more job training.
Sally uses her educational mindset to guide Pletho in providing training for individuals to develop their skills needed for the workplace. Sally’s vision for Pletho is to grow and offer an expanded variety of opportunities in inclusive work environments to match the interests and talents of these individuals.
Sharon Cashel
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and currently works as an Environmental Scientist for a top-tier provider of integrated engineering and environmental consulting services, with duties including general field services and technical writing.
Growing up with a brother who is autistic and intellectually disabled, Sharon has seen firsthand the challenges faced by people with disabilities. From a young age, Sharon has been passionate about creating equal opportunities for disabled people. Sharon has participated in a number of volunteer programs that provide recreational and fitness opportunities for children with autism. She is excited to grow Pletho into an organization that supports disabled young adults and offers them opportunities to develop their skills and talents in a way that contributes to the workforce.