Supported Employment
Some success stories:
Hello, my name is Joel.
I live in Lakewood,NY. I like living there. The best thing about living there is that it is almost across the street from my job and I can walk. I am close to my sister, who also lives in Lakewood. She often comes and picks me up so that we can hang out together.
Something that I am very proud of is my employment with Sam’s Club. I started there November of 2005 as a cart attendant. The Supported Employment program at The Resource Center helped me find this job and a Job Coach went with me every day until I was able to me more independent at work. This is a tough job in the wintertime. I was able to get winter items such as boots and gloves through my Supported Employment Case Manager. This helped me be a success doing carts in the wintertime.
My goal since starting to work at Sam’s was being able to work inside the store. My Job Coach helped me learn how to look for other jobs at Sams Club. I interviewed for a position in the produce department and was hired. I had some issues with doing this job and transferred back to doing carts. This was ok for me, but I continued to look for a position that I would be good at inside the store.
This past year, I was able to transfer to a maintenance position, which is cleaning inside the store. My Job Coach again helped me get used to my new duties at work. I have done really well with this job and really like my job. The best thing is that I don’t have to be out in the snow in the winter. I received employee of the month in July 2007. I just recently found out that I was employee of the year for Sam’s Club in 2007. I am very proud of my success there.
I know that I would not been able to be successful at Sam’s Club without the assistance of Supported Employment. They help me with any thing that I have questions with or don’t understand. I really appreciate all the help that I receive from my case manager and my job coach. I make sure that every time I see them that I thank them for all the help that I have received.
Hello, my name is Tara.
I am a wife, an employee, and best of all a mom. My family is very important to me. It is always a struggle to make sure my family is provided for especially now since my husband is unable to work. Before I started working, I received assistance to help with my bills. I am a hard worker and have always strived to better my family and myself. Due to my perseverance and the Habitat for Humanity Program in 2006 my family and I bought our first house. I like to set goals for myself. My current goal is to get custody of my son who was living with his father. My favorite thing to do is to hang out with my family and spend quality time with my daughters.
Previously, I worked with The Resource Center thru another program and got a job that I worked at for a while then took some time off to help with my family.
In 2006 I again started worked with TRC, this time thru VESID and Supported Employment. They helped me figure out what types of jobs would be best for me. I really enjoyed helping others and caring for those who needed help. I worked with the staff in Supported Employment and they helped me apply at The Resource Center for an as a Community Living Specialist (CLS) at Foote Avenue ICF building C-6. I am very proud of what I do. I like being able to help others with what they need. . I appreciate what they have done to help me through case management and job coaching services. Without their help, I don’t know if I would have kept my job.
I also volunteer. I especially like helping out for Toys For Tots program. I make a point to volunteer each year. This year, I was proud to volunteer with my oldest daughter. It always makes me happy to help people who are looking to help their families.
Hello, my name is Ronald.
Everyone calls me Ron. I live in Ashville with my parents. They support me in every decision and have helped me overcome many struggles. I am currently planning to get a place of my own. This is a huge step for me and I feel that I am ready for this challenge.
I graduated from Panama Central School in 2005 and started working with Supported Employment right after school to help me find a job. They assisted me in finding my first real job. I did some work before but mostly through school.
The Supported Employment Staff helped me look at a lot of different job and I decided that I might like to clean somewhere. I was shy and wanted to try something out to get started. I interviewed with Environmental Services, a division at The Resource Center I started work at the I-86 rest area in August 2005. I clean the rest area, which is a very busy location. This is a beautiful site and has a nice view of Chautauqua Lake. My Job Coach worked with me every day until I was comfortable doing most of my job without assiatnce. Now I see my coach about once a week, or more if I need something.
I recently received the NYSID Award in October 2007 for my job performance. I am extremely proud of this award.
I liked my job with Environmental Service but decided to apply at WCA Hospital in Jamestown as a cleaner since this job did not offer health insurance. It is extremely important for me to have insurance. Supported Employment helped me decide where to apply for another job that would be doing something like but also provide me the benefits that I need to become more independent since I am trying to move into my own place.
I just started working for WCA Hospital in January 2008 and I am learning a lot. The Job Coach was right there by my side while I was training at my new job. I would have never been able to go this far without the help of my case manager and my job coach. They have helped me so much and any time I have a question or a concern I know that I can bring this to them and I will get an answer.
Since starting working, I have also been able to accomplish other things. I have passed my driver test with assistance from Driver Training at The Resource Center and also was able to purchase my first car with my earnings. This helps me out a lot. I no longer need to look for a ride to and from work due to this.
In my spare time, I like making short films. I completed one while in high school and really like working on these. I would like to one day do this type of work for a living.