First Lady Lori Shapiro joined a group of high school students at their summer jobs caring for cats, dogs and other animals at Humane PA's animal shelter in Reading. The students are employed through the MY Work Initiative, a summer program for high school students with disabilities created by the PA Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to match students with job opportunities and work experience in their local municipalities.

"I'm thrilled to join the Department of Labor and Industry along with Goodwill Keystone Area and Humane PA for today's visit,” said First Lady Shapiro. “Through these experiences, students are gaining valuable workplace readiness skills that are going to help make our commonwealth and our communities better off. Josh and I are thankful for programs like this that are providing opportunities for youth across Pennsylvania to achieve big things."

During the First Lady's visit, she toured the shelter and helped students fulfill some of their daily duties. She also took part in a roundtable discussion with partners on site to highlight the importance of programs that promote community service and civic engagement for all Pennsylvanians.

As part of the MY Work Initiative, students perform hands-on work at the animal shelter under the guidance of a Goodwill site supervisor.

To read more about the First Lady’s visit, click here.