Finding the Perfect Fit: Abby’s Employment Journey

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Many young adults with disabilities need more than standard job placement. They need work that fits their skills and interests. ERI employment specialist Bethany kept this in mind when she began working with 21-year-old Abby. She knew finding the right match, with the right support, would be key to success. Today, their story shows how this careful approach works.

Starting the Journey

Abby's first try at finding work during COVID-19 didn't succeed. This was an especially hard time since health concerns put her at risk. Then she and her mother Sharon connected with ERI and met Bethany. Together, they began looking for the right job for Abby, who uses a device to help her communicate and has some physical and cognitive needs.

Looking for the Right Match

"It is important to us that we make sure Abby had all the support she needed," explains Sharon. "I want her to be able to work together with other people and to have opportunities to learn how to communicate effectively with them using her sign language or her speech app to bridge the gap."

The first try focused on Abby's love of animals at a pet daycare. When that didn't work out, Bethany thought about Abby's other interests – especially her joy around babies and children. That's when she thought of Once Upon A Child, a children's clothing resale store. "When we were looking for a job for Abby, we wanted to make sure she was going to be in a place that excites her," explains Bethany. "At ERI, we know that when people are doing something they care about, they're going to succeed."

Success at Work

Today, Abby works two 90-minute shifts each week at the store, handling an impressive amount of work. In just one shift, she can put 170 garments on hangers, prepare 10 pairs of shoes, and snap 20 onesies. The store manager often jokes that some of her coworkers need to keep up with Abby's pace.

A Welcome Team Member

The store had never hired someone with disabilities before, but they welcomed Abby warmly. They helped set up special racks for clothes and hooks that make it easier for Abby to reach hangers. They celebrate her work and value her as part of the team.

"They tell her she does a good job every day," Sharon shares proudly. "They thank her for all of her hard work."

Growing Skills

Abby keeps learning new skills and becoming more independent. She's figured out better ways to button clothes, switching hands based on how the garment faces. When she faces challenges, her support team waits before helping – giving Abby time to solve problems on her own.

Making a Difference

This job means more than just work for Abby. Her earnings allow her to do things like buy Christmas presents for her siblings and purchase supplies for making jewelry. More importantly, she has found purpose and made new connections in her community.

How ERI Helped

ERI succeeded by matching Abby's interests with the right employer and making sure she had proper support. This created success for everyone involved. For Bethany and the ERI team, it shows our mission at work: helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs that fit their unique abilities.

"Bethany found the right job, the right place, the right people," says Sharon. "Without that, I don't know what she'd end up doing. But this was just a perfect fit."