In honor of Disability Employment Awareness, ?we showcased individuals with I/DD who have found community employment on our Facebook page. Below are the individuals we featured throughout October.
Josh is a new hire at Winn Dixie working as a courtesy associate. He assists in making guests? experience unforgettable by bagging and loading their groceries for them. He is looking forward to his first rainy work day, because he gets to make guests feel extra special by escorting them to their car with an umbrella. Besides going above and beyond at work, Josh enjoys cooking, taking care of his dogs and volunteering at his church?s nursery.
Lauren has worked as a silverware roller and hostess at Carrabba?s Italian Grill for two years. She absolutely loves coming to work at her dream job, and has built life long friendships there. When Lauren is not at work, she enjoys participating in Best Buddies, cooking meals with her roommate, hanging out with her friends and boyfriend, and also loves a good shopping spree.
?Lauren is a super star employee who gets along great with her coworkers. Lauren is always punctual, has never been late to work and is one of my most productive employees. She is also wonderful with guests and gives outstanding customer service.? ? David Rigby, Managing Partner, Carrabba?s Italian Grill
For the past 13 years, Jason has worked full-time in the EverBank mail room. Jason spends his days busy with delivering mail and office supplies to the building?s many floors, and is always eager to obtain new training that will continue to enhance his skill set. In his free time, Jason enjoys playing in poker tournaments and attending Jacksonville Jaguar games. He is also a member of The Arc Jacksonville Board of Directors.
Ciara was a participant in our On the Job Training program and is a recent graduate of our University of North Florida?s On Campus Transition Program. Ciara worked in a paid internship for three months at Baptist Medical Center downtown as a department assistant in the nutrition department. Here she learned valuable skills such as customer service, time management and active listening, which will be easily transferred to a community employment opportunity.
Charla is a participant of the On the Job Training program at the Baptist Hill Breast Center and is working as a department assistant. Here she helps staff with their tumor registry, puts together educational materials and packets, stocks exam rooms with clean blankets?and also helps mail out letters and requests to physicians. She also helps pull patient?s files as needed.
Stories complied by The Arc Jacksonville Employment Services Department