Some CE Success Stories
Get to know a few of the folks succeeding through Customized Employment...
Sarah
Sarah is a passionate and driven young woman who enjoys the theatre, and is an advocate for disability rights with JJ’s List, an organization that teaches disability awareness to businesses across the Chicagoland area. Sarah has also volunteered at various theaters, where she performs, develops programming, and mentors others.
Sarah and her employment specialist started the Customized Employment process in November 2019. Beginning with Discovery, Sarah and her employment specialist explored her contributions, interests, and conditions for employment.
With Sarah’s interests, considerations, and contributions in mind, her Employment Specialist identified Possibilities Theatre Company as a possible employer. Her Employment Specialist spoke with the theatre director to pitch the idea of creating a role for Sarah. The director admitted their budget was rather limited, but the employment specialist explained how Sarah could increase their revenue.
With Sarah’s interests, considerations, and contributions in mind, her Employment Specialist identified Possibilities Theatre Company as a possible employer. Her Employment Specialist spoke with the theatre director to pitch the idea of creating a role for Sarah. The director admitted their budget was rather limited, but the employment specialist explained how Sarah could increase their revenue.
After a few conversations with the Director, they worked together to create the job of Creative Director Consultant, tasks which included writing content, expanding their website and blog, assisting with interns, and pitching and directing creative projects. The position is project-based and allows Sarah the flexibility to work from home while participating in other social obligations. Sarah began working at Possibilities Theatre in October 2020 and has since written marketing material for some of their shows. Sarah’s goal is to advocate and teach others about disability awareness through theatre. With her position at Possibilities Theatre, her goal became a reality.
Ana
Ana is an artist who is focused, detailed, and creative, and who has an outgoing and enthusiastic personality.
Ana was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States when she was 4 years old. When she was still quite young, Ana was placed into foster care in eastern Pennsylvania. It was in 2013 that she moved into a residential program in Pittsburgh, PA.
When Ana began her process of Discovery, her Employment Specialist wanted to observe her arts and crafts work in the comfort of her home and watch her make jewelry. After learning about her skills and preferences, Ana’s Employment Specialist developed a lead on a job that would welcome her personality with open arms, while also providing opportunity for Ana to use her artistic talent. The job was with Edible Arrangements, assisting the designers with crafting the fruit in the arrangements, freeing those lead designers to increase their workload in turn.
Ana started her career with Edible Arrangements in 2016. Ana has since built a strong relationship with her manager and coworkers and is often called upon to work extra hours when the shop is busy. Ana has learned that she is a part of a team, and that people depend on her and value her. Further, she knows that the contributions she brings to the workplace make a difference. When asked about her job, Ana will tell you, “I work hard, and I love it!”
Sebastian
Sebastian lives in Louisville, Kentucky where he has been studying pottery with local artist Candy Wheat. He received his high school art education at Ballard High School. He has attended community college studio art classes and received support with his work from various local artists, including Penny Lentz, Collis Marshall, and Dan Trabue.
Sebastian’s interest in art started when he was young. On the verge of establishing himself as an exciting and promising new artist in Kentucky, his art and pottery have been featured at the Louisville's Webber Gallery and sold at silent auctions for charity. He presented his first solo artist show in 2017 at Expressions Art Gallery, also in Louisville. It was the largest-selling show in that studio's history.
Sebastian's growing success is the result of careful thought and planning on the part of both Sebastian and his mother, Sandra. Sandra worked to hire a strategic team of supporters and collaborators that would add their experience and expertise to his continued training, honing his art and making plans for him to be a successful businessman.
Sebastian and Sandra engaged the Discovery process in reviewing Sebastian's art, visiting art museums, researching art online, and considering the pieces of art Sebastian had created in his high school years. Sandra originally hails from the Dominican Republic and is herself very creative and artistic, so they also researched Dominican artists and discovered Cándido Bidó, recognizing that Sebastian's portraits bore a resemblance to Bidó's work. Sebastian spent some time studying Bidó's art and claims the artist as an influence in his style.
Like filling an empty page with colors, movement, and joy, Sebastian is bringing his own business into being. And he's doing it with his team of supporters, artist-collaborators, and admirers. While art may be considered a solo activity, Sebastian has found the best art grows within the context of community.
Sebastian’s interest in art started when he was young. On the verge of establishing himself as an exciting and promising new artist in Kentucky, his art and pottery have been featured at the Louisville's Webber Gallery and sold at silent auctions for charity. He presented his first solo artist show in 2017 at Expressions Art Gallery, also in Louisville. It was the largest-selling show in that studio's history.
Sebastian's growing success is the result of careful thought and planning on the part of both Sebastian and his mother, Sandra. Sandra worked to hire a strategic team of supporters and collaborators that would add their experience and expertise to his continued training, honing his art and making plans for him to be a successful businessman.
Sebastian and Sandra engaged the Discovery process in reviewing Sebastian's art, visiting art museums, researching art online, and considering the pieces of art Sebastian had created in his high school years. Sandra originally hails from the Dominican Republic and is herself very creative and artistic, so they also researched Dominican artists and discovered Cándido Bidó, recognizing that Sebastian's portraits bore a resemblance to Bidó's work. Sebastian spent some time studying Bidó's art and claims the artist as an influence in his style.
Like filling an empty page with colors, movement, and joy, Sebastian is bringing his own business into being. And he's doing it with his team of supporters, artist-collaborators, and admirers. While art may be considered a solo activity, Sebastian has found the best art grows within the context of community.
Ashtin
Ashtin is helpful, outgoing, and industrious. She has excellent customer service skills, which were identified during her Customized Employment Discovery Process.
After completing an internship at Legacy House of Ogden, a premier senior living center in Ogden, Utah, Ashtin was hired as a kitchen and dining aide. She has been employed for more than three years in this position, and her responsibilities include taking drink orders, folding napkins, and organizing and prepping the dining area for the next dining service. Ashtin is thriving in this environment, and many of the residents ask for her when they are dining. In April 2017, the director of the Legacy House of Ogden awarded Ashtin the “Personal Touch” recognition pin for the month of March, in honor of her hard work and dedication.
Pete
Pete lived with his parents until they both passed away. Until then, he’d not been involved with any type of service provision. Pete was born in 1952 but did not begin receiving services until 2003.
When service providers first began working with Pete, they assumed his primary goal would be to attain a residential placement. However, the Customized Employment Provider recognized that Pete could offer a number of professional contributions that would make him a valuable asset in the right workplace.
Through the use of Customized Employment, Pete’s employment services provider learned that he had a strong work ethic and would go out of his way to help others. In exploring both potential employment and residential placement, they discovered that Pete cooked, cleaned, took care of his lawn, and helped his neighbors. It was important for him to find a job where he felt like he was helping people.
Pete was able to obtain employment at a local grocery store. Pete assists at the front end of the store with bagging and customer service. He helps elderly customers shoulder the load of their groceries from the store to their cars. This, in itself, has helped the business note an improvement in overall customer relations.
Pete’s provider also learned through this process that he didn’t just want to live on his own; he wanted to own his own home. They worked with Pete to shop for available homes and identify a mortgage broker who could help him with financing a mortgage.
Pete’s provider also learned through this process that he didn’t just want to live on his own; he wanted to own his own home. They worked with Pete to shop for available homes and identify a mortgage broker who could help him with financing a mortgage.
Owning a home increased Pete’s interest in gardening. He now keeps a “mini farm” in his back yard. Pete grows zucchini, tomatoes, watermelon, and various other fruits and vegetables.
Discovery and Customized Employment helped lead Pete to a job which he has held for 15 years. In 2017, Pete was honored with a community service award by the mayor of his town for all the volunteer work he has done to help make his community a better place.
Shira
Shira used Customized Self-Employment to become a successful business owner. After obtaining various part-time positions in a variety of fields, Shira and her staff were able to learn about her preferences, contributions, and ideal conditions for employment. Using this information, Shira found her niche by creating her own bath bomb business.
Shira first tried her hand at baking, both at home and at local bakeries within the community. As a result of exploring these opportunities, Shira learned more about what she wanted from a job and what she needed to be successful. Her creative passion continued evolving, leading her to consider the field of event planning as well.
In the next stage of her journey, Shira blended her artistic interests and welcoming personality by working in customer service an arts and crafts store. Shira’s bright and friendly nature always impressed customers, but Shira found she wanted more from her career. Being the innovative, free-spirited individual she is, Shira always longed to utilize her creative abilities and would often speak of her creative interests during interviews.
In the next stage of her journey, Shira blended her artistic interests and welcoming personality by working in customer service an arts and crafts store. Shira’s bright and friendly nature always impressed customers, but Shira found she wanted more from her career. Being the innovative, free-spirited individual she is, Shira always longed to utilize her creative abilities and would often speak of her creative interests during interviews.
Shira presented an idea of starting her own business making bath bombs, with the intent of selling her items out of her home to family and close friends. Shira began experimenting with various essential oils and ingredients to perfect her product. Seeing Shira’s persistent interest and effort in creating her business, her family agreed to invest and support the idea.
Today, through Customized Self-Employment and combined efforts from her circle of support, Shira has registered her business, created a website, established a means for accepting and tracking payments electronically, and has successfully participated in numerous major events within the community to date. Shira devotes time each day to work toward further developing her business, and remains proud, motivated, and excited to share Aroma Fizzies with her community!
Jon
Jon entered the workforce with one goal: independence. When he found himself homeless, he was determined to make a change. Jon has demonstrated exceptional initiative and professionalism, allowing him to build the confidence to advocate on his own behalf.
When Jon arrived at a homeless shelter, the staff connected him with the Office for Vocational Rehabilitation who recommended that he visit a service provider that offered Customized Employment. Since Jon was determined to become self-sufficient, he worked with the provider and community employers to find a career he could be passionate about. After much hard work and persistence, Jon found employment with Allegheny General Hospital.
When Jon arrived at a homeless shelter, the staff connected him with the Office for Vocational Rehabilitation who recommended that he visit a service provider that offered Customized Employment. Since Jon was determined to become self-sufficient, he worked with the provider and community employers to find a career he could be passionate about. After much hard work and persistence, Jon found employment with Allegheny General Hospital.
Jon’s strong network of support pushed him to realize the awesome power of self-advocacy. When he began work at the hospital, he was only part-time. Knowing he was capable of more, he requested an increase in his hours. Now Jon is working full-time, thanks to his resolve to reach his goal.
Jon worked with staff from the shelter to save money for an apartment. Understanding his self-worth and the strength of his professional skills, work ethic, and positive attitude has helped Jon make incredible strides in fulfilling his goals. Jon’s consistent drive to go further has even led to his nomination for a self-advocacy award in Pennsylvania.