A first job can open doors. In El Paso, the Ability Fellows Program was created to help young adults with disabilities gain paid experience working with the City of El Paso. It is a local example of how a city can make public-service careers more accessible.

What the Ability Fellows Program Does

The City of El Paso described Ability Fellows as a paid fellowship designed to address barriers that young adults with disabilities can encounter when looking for work. Participants receive practical exposure to municipal work and opportunities to build professional and civic-engagement skills. The program was developed with local partners.

The program was visible again in October 2026, when the city recognized National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Ability Fellows described their experiences in city departments. That public recognition confirms the program remains an important part of El Paso’s workforce conversation.

How the Program Got Its Start

In 2024, Marathon Petroleum Refinery contributed a $20,000 grant to support implementation of the Ability Fellows Program in El Paso. The City of El Paso recorded that grant in its July 2024 council agenda. This is historical funding, not confirmation of a new $20,000 award in 2026.

The grant supported an effort to give participants hands-on work experience, professional development and exposure to city operations. For residents, the value is concrete: a paid opportunity to practice job skills and learn how local government works.

Where to Find Current Opportunities

The City of El Paso maintains a careers and internships page with information about municipal internships and fellowships. Its general internship program spans more than 30 city departments, but that figure should not be read as the number of Ability Fellows placements.

The city also offers The Bridge, a separate fellowship developed with Fort Bliss to help military service members transition to civilian careers. It is distinct from Ability Fellows.

The available official sources do not confirm a current Ability Fellows application window, eligibility details or the draft’s claim of 10 participants in August and November 2026 cohorts. Residents interested in the program should check the city’s current opportunities and contact its Human Resources team rather than rely on past recruitment dates.

Start with the City of El Paso internships and fellowships page or the Human Resources department for up-to-date guidance. The program’s story is worth telling even when enrollment is not open: it shows one way El Paso is creating meaningful opportunities for more residents.