Raleigh Nonprofit Provides Job Training for Adults
The Ella and Bella Pet Company offers vocational experience for 18 participants as an alternative to long state waitlists.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Special Needs
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Since July 2026, the Raleigh-based Ella and Bella Pet Company has provided job training for adults with disabilities through a local pet treat manufacturing initiative. Operating out of the American Legion Post 1 kitchen, the program offers vocational experience to 18 current participants.
Why it matters
This nonprofit initiative helps address the employment gap for people with disabilities, a challenge highlighted by a 21,000-person waitlist for state waiver services. It provides a structured path for post-high school job training within the local community.
The Ella and Bella Pet Company currently supports 18 participants in its Raleigh-based manufacturing program. This effort arrives as 21,000 individuals remain on the state waiver waitlist for disability services.
The players
Ella and Bella Pet Company
A nonprofit organization based in Raleigh that provides job training and vocational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
American Legion Post 1
A veteran service organization that serves as the site for the nonprofit's production kitchen.
The details
Participants in the initiative produce chemical-free pet treats in a professional kitchen setting. By utilizing space at American Legion Post 1, the nonprofit provides hands-on vocational training designed to transition individuals into the workforce after high school. The founder established this model to create reliable job opportunities for her daughter and other young adults.
Timeline
• July 2026: The initiative officially launched as a thriving vocational venture.
• Mondays and Tuesdays: Participants currently gather to bake and package pet treats.
The Home Front
Community-led vocational programs serve as a critical bridge while families wait for placement on state-funded disability waiver lists. These initiatives help sustain life-long skill development for adults when formal public services are constrained by long wait times.
Families navigating post-high school transitions should monitor local non-profit job training opportunities to supplement state-funded service waitlists. Contact local vocational centers to determine if they are currently accepting new participants for their programs.
The takeaway
Supporting community-based vocational initiatives can help young adults build essential work skills while waiting for broader state service access. Families should keep a file of local nonprofits offering job training as a potential resource during high school transition planning.
Further reading
For additional context on local support resources, see our guide on Special Needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS17.
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