Colorado Springs ADI

Joni Davis and Laura Medlow

Andrew was referred for vocational services due to some physical limitations in June of 2006. Andrew began a situational assessment at Silver Key in the transportation Department. After the assessment it was determined that Andrew would be an asset to any company where he was employed. During the assessment Andrew exhibited the utmost professionalism, good customer service and professional skills, as well as a willingness to complete any assigned job tasks. It was recommended that Andrew receive Job Seeking Skills, Job Placement, and Job Coaching Services as well as computer skills training in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through ADI.  Andrew did very well in the computer training and diligently took notes in class so that he could also practice at home.  As he progressed in his training, Andrew simultaneously pursued work.  Andrew’s trainer and Vocational Counselor found a client advocate position for which we thought Andrew would be perfect.  Unfortunately he was told that he did not meet the criteria the interview panel was looking for but was told that he had a great interview.  Continuing training as well as the search, a position as an Administrative Assistant opened up temporarily with ADI.  Andrew jumped at the position knowing it was only for a short while and instantly endeared himself to the staff here with his welcoming warm nature and can-do will-do attitude.  Andrew was recently brought on as a full time permanent employee with benefits as his ability to engage staff, clients, and customers was exceptional in addition to his follow through on daily responsibilities.   Andrew reports liking his job and the people with whom he works

Pueblo ADI

Jill Finegold

Sharon is in her 60’s and was hoping for a part-time position as a greeter. Sharon is currently living in an assisted living center and relies strictly on the bus for transportation but easily gets turned around when out in the community alone. Sharon stated she wants to “get out” from time to time. Sharon had been working with ADI for quite some time and had always refused to do volunteer work. “I just want to get paid” she would say but Sharon has a very limited job history and some significant physical limitations. Sharon finally agreed to do a situational assessment with ADI where she would volunteer and be observed in her work skills.  Sharon went with me to the ARC on Wednesday and Fridays for more than three months. Sharon was there every time unless there was snow that day. Sharon was responsible for dusting and arranging of clothes on racks. Sharon became comfortable with the staff there and they became comfortable with her. Sharon finished a successful situational assessment yet Sharon still volunteers at the ARC every Wednesday and Friday. She has been there more than six months now. She says enjoys getting out and about and is happy in her volunteer position.

Fort Collins ADI

Megan Foster

This story is about small successes.  I have been working with Paul for about four months and it has been a long road to him applying to two jobs recently.  This may not sound like a big deal, but it is for Paul.  Paul has been out of work for about eight years; for a long time he could afford to do this and was perfectly happy not working hanging out with his snakes and playing his sitar.  He is diagnosed with depression and has a history of substance abuse.  Paul is a devoted home-body and has a slightly unsightly appearance, he dresses in climbing pants he’s had since the 80’s (when he was an avid rock climber) and his graying hair (that is about 7 inches long) stands up and lies slightly back on his head in a very unique way.  His beard is scraggly and some sections of it reach a good five inches.  Paul essentially fired his last vocational coordinator and was sent to me.  He was originally referred for a situational assessment, which after much time spent trying to find a site that Paul deemed suitable, he decided he really didn’t want to do it anyway and his DVR counselor gave permission to go ahead with placement.  Paul was unsure what he wanted to do; he was formerly his own boss and only employee of a climbing wall hold manufacturer.  Paul does not like to be told what to do or how to do it, and is quite set in his own ways.  After discussing several career options including music therapy, purchasing, manufacturing, woodworking, working with the disabled, and machining, Paul still could not find a job that he wanted to apply to.  He wanted a job that paid over $12.00 an hour, had “banker’s hours” (i.e. 9-5), did not require a dress code or appearance change, and did not have a demanding or overly watchful boss.  Paul has a college degree in English Literature, but hasn’t ever really used it.  Every job that I found for Paul, he found some sort of fault in it and didn’t even want to apply.  Paul would cancel meetings if it was too hot outside or if he was really tired; his depression “flares up” occasionally causing him to be homebound for weeks at a time.  Working through the realization that he is entering a job market that judges people based on their appearance and doesn’t care if you think you deserve $12.00 an hour was something very difficult for Paul, probably more difficult than going to an interview or climbing a mountain.  Paul’s expectations of employment have now changed through his experiences of working with a vocational coordinator, he has mentioned on several occasions how he now realizes how much he didn’t know about finding a job.  Paul has cut his hair and changed his answering machine message, decisions that he made on his own.  He has also applied to a job at a specialty lumber store that he is very excited about.  He interviewed there and is waiting for them to finish their interviews to hear on the job, but he even offered to shave his beard if his employer thought it necessary.  Paul’s four month “reality check” has been a long process, and while I believe that individuality and expressing yourself are of utmost importance, there is ample space to do that outside while balancing a successful career.      

Montrose ADI

Lacey Anderson

Jon was a referral from Midwestern Mental Health Center in the summer of 2005 while receiving ongoing case management services from the mental health center.  Jon suffered from Bipolar I, with severe & psychotic features.  Jon was referred to ADI for vocational services in hopes of being employed in the community.  Jon’s showed up to his first appointment with the ADI counselor and was very pleasant, well groomed and soft spoken.  Jon had not worked in over five years and had a very limited work history and he did not know what he could do or wanted to do for his employment goal.  Jon had a little experience many years ago working at a Dollar Store where he performed several task that consisted of cashier duties, stocking, and customer service and stated he remembers enjoying it.  The vocational counselor and Jon explored several employment options around the community that were within walking distance of his residence because transportation was an issue.  The ADI counselor would go with Jon to drop off the applications as he felt very uncomfortable talking to the employers so the ADI counselor would have Jon ask for the employer and then coach him on what to say and how to present himself. 

Jon went several months of attending the ADI Job Club and after several months Jon’s confidence level was increasing and he began looking ahead.   Jon wanted to get his drivers license so the ADI counselor got material from the Drivers Education Program to help Jon study for the exam.  Two weeks later Jon passed his drivers test and was able to get a jeep.  Jon then decided he wanted to live independently so through this personal adjustment period the ADI counselor coached him on independent living skills while completing a HUD application.  Jon wanted to move out sooner than HUD would be able to come through so he explored all possible ways with the ADI counselor of ways to realistically be on his own and he did it!

As Jon was getting settled the ADI counselor completed another service treatment plan on getting Jon back to work.  ADI counselor and Jon began completing applications and talking to employers.  Jon was much more confident when speaking to employers this time around.  ADI counselor arranged an interview for Jon at Wal-Mart and Jon agreed he felt confident to attend by himself given the tools and training obtained through ADI.  Jon was offered the position as cashier and has been working successfully for over three months.  In addition to his successful employment outcome Jon has also started a small lawn business on the side and recently purchased a very slick used Ford 150.  Jon reports never being so happy and content and really enjoys his job at Wal-Mart.