Participant Success Stories
PSP is proud of the partnerships we've forged with the people we serve and outstanding area businesses who value the contribution of a diverse workforce. The following success stories illustrate how working empowers the lives of people with disabilities while contributing to the character of our communities.
Gunnar
Eurest Dining Services
Employed Since 1997
Gunnar is a professional, outgoing and motivated individual. He has been working on the Microsoft campus since 1997. He began working with Eurest as a dishwasher at the Sammamish campus. As a result of Gunnar’s hard work, his dedication to the company and PSP’s support, he received a promotion in April of 2010 and moved to the Bellevue City Center location. At this new café, Gunnar is able to do his dream job and has moved from the dishwashing position to a food prep assistant.
PSP has worked with Gunnar to create appropriate checklists and has encouraged him to use a timer so that he can be as successful as possible. Recently, Gunnar had his debut as a chef when he was able to develop a recipe for a featured entree served at the café. Working with his team to prepare and serve "Gunnar's Sesame Roasted Chicken" was a pivotal moment for Gunnar, his co-workers and the Microsoft regulars who frequent the dining facility. Another career hallmark occurred in February of 2012, when Gunnar was invited to an honorary celebration for his 15 years of service. In every way imaginable, Gunnar is the picture of success.
Ray
LSG Sky Chefs
Employed Since 1987
Ray came to PSP with the dream of having a stable job where he could work for many years to come. PSP worked to develop a customized position as a utility worker at LSG Sky Chefs, where he has been successfully employed for over 25 years. PSP utilized Ray’s strengths to help define his job tasks that include sorting silverware, loading dishes into an automated washer, cleaning trays and pulling carts from trucks.
It is evident that Ray has gained a greater confidence through working and enjoys the independence and freedom that employment brings. Ray lives across the street from his parents in his own home and enjoys the self sufficiency his income provides. Ray’s upbeat personality and warm friendly smile have helped him build relationships with his coworkers and supervisors. Ray arrives at work early every day, just so he can spend extra time at his favorite place—LSG Sky Chefs. Ray’s everyday life truly revolves around his employment at LSG. His parents say that his life has meaning because he has been able to work and contribute to his community for many years in a job that gives him so much joy and fulfillment.
Jenny
City of Seattle
Employed Since 1995
Jenny is professional, friendly and motivated. She began working for the City of Seattle in 1995. Puget Sound Personnel worked with Jenny and her co-workers to develop her job responsibilities and provide support around appropriate social interactions. PSP modeled effective communication and encouraged Jenny’s support team to be as direct as possible with her in communicating instructions and job expectations.
Jenny performs a variety of office tasks including making copies, assembling folders, collating papers and stuffing envelopes for mailing. PSP regularly meets with Jenny and her supervisors to ensure the quality and consistency of her work. A variety of checklists have been developed to help Jenny stay on task to meet all of her responsibilities. Written personal and professional guidelines also help remind her of her goals.
Jenny has grown and matured as a City employee and is often complimented on her professional manner. When asked what she likes best about her job, Jenny is quick to respond, “I like my co-workers and I like to stay busy. I take a lot of pride in my work.”
Tristan
City of Seattle
Employed Since 2009
After Tristan was referred to PSP from the Northshore Transition Academy, we worked with him in our School-to-Work Program to discover his interests, experiences and employment goals. With that information in mind, we looked to our well-established partnership with the City of Seattle to explore customizing a position for him. We arranged an informal interview with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) where Tristan was able to meet the employer and preview the tasks of the job. We negotiated a position for him that matched all his criteria and met the employment needs of SDOT.
As an office maintenance aide Tristan does a variety of tasks. He is responsible for scanning and copying projects, restocking copy machines and printers, delivering and distributing mail, making deliveries and anything else that his co-workers need assistance with throughout the day. He is also responsible for implementing a new file and inventory system for maps.
As part of our ongoing support services, we have worked with Tristan and his co-workers to develop and add to his job responsibilities. PSP assists with training and builds communication skills to help Tristan and his co-workers work successfully together. As a flexible, hardworking employee, he is a tremendous asset to his department. In return, Tristan says he really likes his desk and getting a paycheck.
Arnold
Doubletree Guest Suites
Employed Since 1989
With the extensive support of PSP and his co-workers, Arnold has been successfully employed as a dishwasher at Doubletree Guest Suites for over 22 years! In this long-term partnership, we have worked diligently to identify lead co-workers to act as one-on-one supports for him and to ensure he is provided the cues needed to help him stay on task.
Arnold is responsible for maintaining a clean and sanitary stock of dishes and utensils for the hotel. His specialty is working on large banquets or parties that require quick and efficient turnaround time for the dishes and serving trays. His job is a perfect fit for him—providing the right balance of co-worker support and routine tasks that he enjoys.
Over the years, Arnold has had several behavioral challenges on the job. PSP has acted as a liaison, helping him communicate his needs and advocating on his behalf. This ongoing training and support has kept Arnold gainfully employed. The Doubletree staff often comments that he is always on time and reliable. In fact, Arnold once walked over 7 miles to work when his brother was late in giving him a ride. That now celebrated act of dedication was written about in the company newsletter and continues to earn Arnold recognition and pride.
Mohamud
Safeway
Employed Since 2009
Mohamud is a Courtesy Clerk at the Safeway store near his home in Rainier Valley. He speaks Ethiopia's second language, Oromo, and is currently enrolled in English language classes. Despite the cognitive challenges and the language barrier that he faces each day, Mohamud offers the brightest smile in Seattle. Customers at his Safeway ask for him by name to assist them to their cars after he is done bagging their groceries. He escorts the elderly and disabled to their vehicles and returns their motorized carts to the store when finished. When Mohamud hears a request for a clean-up over the intercom, he quickly responds with a mop, broom and slippery floor warning signs. His supervisors and his company rely on him to keep the customers safe and the aisles free of dangerous debris.
Puget Sound Personnel and Mohamud have been working together since 2006 when we met him in our School to Work program. PSP helps him learn new tasks, coordinates on- and off-site training with his supervisors, facilitates communication between his family and Safeway, as well as performs weekly assessments of his work. Mohamud is reliable, punctual and driven. His steady employment has made a positive difference in his life and he continues to learn work and language skills through his job. Mohamud loves his position at Safeway and is excited to continue working there for many years to come.
Cassie
Pitney Bowes
Employed Since 2007
Cassie came to PSP during her last year in high school. By participating in our school to work program, we learned that Cassie was interested in working in an office and wanted to answer phones. Her dream job was to be a receptionist where she could interact with customers. With PSP’s support, Cassie is now working full time on the Microsoft campus and is receiving full benefits. Cassie has received “rave” reviews from her managers, customers and co-workers for her positive attitude, warm smile and strong work ethic.
Marco
Eurest Dining Services / Microsoft campus
Employed
since 2010
After moving to Bellevue from California, Marco and his family knew that he would need help in finding paid employment due to his limited English language skills and a learning disability. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) had him investigate local employment vendors to determine which agency would most closely meet his needs. PSP was his first choice.
In our discussions, we learned that Marco wanted to work in food service with a supportive team of co-workers with the hope that some would speak his native Spanish language. After a community based assessment of his skills and abilities, we found that he was very likable, friendly and had an incredible work ethic. PSP used this information to market Marco’s skills in his target area of restaurant utility work.
PSP placed Marco in a part time position on the Microsoft campus with Eurest Dining Services doing what he loves to do. As a utility worker in the kitchen, Marco is part of a wonderful team of co-workers, many of whom speak Spanish. PSP conducted intensive training so that Marco would meet his employer's expectations and be successful in his new position. Since the day he was hired, Marco has not missed one day of work! He says his job is exactly what he was looking for and the Eurest staff are equally pleased to have Marco on their team.
Kendyl
Sammamish Montessori
School
Lakeside Montessori School
Employed Since 2007
With the help of her mom, Kendyl began volunteering at the Sammamish Montessori School during the final year of her high school transition program. During that time she required an American Sign Language interpreter to work alongside her. Kendyl also needed one-on-one support because the school had concerns about her working independently. As PSP began working with Kendyl in our school to work program, we customized a position and negotiated paid employment. Kendyl has been employed as a School Helper since June 2007. Here, Kendyl performs cleaning duties and teaches Sign Language in the elementary classroom. PSP has developed an extensive curriculum and several resources for SMS students, staff/faculty and Kendyl.
Kendyl recently began working at a second school, Lakeside Montessori School, where she primarily teaches students and faculty sign language through play activities with the children. The students enjoy Miss Kendyl’s presence in their classroom and request to be the "interpreter" during Kendyl’s teaching lessons. The teaching staff has stated that this is a wonderful way for their students to learn firsthand knowledge of the real life application of ASL. Kendyl has grown tremendously through her employment with both schools. Even more so, she loves that she is a teacher just like her mom.
Steve
City of Seattle
Employed Since 1998
PSP worked with the City of Seattle’s Department of Information Technology (DOIT) to develop a job specifically for Steve. PSP brought in an occupational therapist to assist Steve in finding appropriate assistive technology needed to complete tasks. Steve has been working with Seattle Public Utilities as an IT assistant, conducting data entry and document management. With PSP's support, he has worked on various projects over the years, including proofreading SPU's website for the web team, digitizing old paper documents as part of the City's commitment to be as 'paperless' as possible and helping to maintain the City's Help Desk system.
Steve has continually been praised by his coworkers for his help in keeping the employee directory updated and maintaining the City website by posting notices of any server outages and fixing broken or missing links. Steve continues to be an important team member of DOIT and is excited to be celebrating his twelfth year as a City staff member.
Chris
Eurest Dining Services
Employed Since January 2010
Chris has had the opportunity to gain different experiences and build on his skill sets throughout his employment history. Chris was employed with Calzone Company for over 8 years where he was responsible for cleaning trays. He earned the additional responsibility of helping on the packaging line, where he excelled.
In January of 2010, Chris was hired at a new cafeteria on the Microsoft campus just a few miles from his home. He is using his skills in packaging and utility work to help in the sushi department. Chris has been able to transfer his skills learned at Calzone & Co to learn his tasks quickly with intensive training from PSP. His previous work experience and interpersonal skills have been a benefit to his new employer.
Chris is thriving in an environment where respect, professionalism, consistency and an outstanding work ethic are valued.
Kari
PCC Natural Markets
Employed Since 1992
Kari came to Puget Sound Personnel looking for paid employment. She was interested in working in an office as a part of an administrative team. With the help of Kari's parents, PSP was able to secure a job at a local natural food grocer, PCC Natural Markets. Kari started at the corporate office and has been an integral part of the administrative team that has grown to support nine different grocery stores in the Puget Sound area.
Kari helps create new staff orientation binders, does copy and filing projects for HR and other corporate departments, sorts weekly coupon mailers for co-op members and sorts daily mail. Kari is also available for special projects and is willing to help in any way possible. Kari takes great pride in her work. Her coworkers love her bright smile and the positive attitude she brings to work every day. Rounding out an active life, Kari competes in Special Olympics on the swim, ski and bowling teams. Her coworkers are strong supporters who are thrilled to hear her tell about the many medals she has won. Kari also sings in the choir at her church and steps up confidently to sing karaoke in front of hundreds of PCC coworkers at the annual holiday party!
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