Adreian’s Journey: Thriving in a New Job with the Right Support
Adreian made his new job look easy after winning an award just one month in. While Adreian excelled quickly, getting him into his new role took effort and coordination. NKHS Employment Specialists like Aleah Chaput are crucial in helping individuals of all abilities discover jobs that align with their strengths, receive needed support, and thrive in their communities.
One of the first challenges to overcome was finding the resources to help Adreian, who is non-verbal, obtain a communication device for employment. With funding assistance from HireAbility Vermont, Aleah secured an iPad 9 equipped with the PatchChat app for him. This app features picture buttons with phrases that enable users to play phrases aloud by clicking the corresponding buttons. Adreian uses this app to communicate more effectively. HireAbility is an invaluable resource for Aleah and other Employment Specialists, enabling them to support individuals on their employment journeys.
Aleah drew from her previous work experience as a Backroom Coordinator at TJ Maxx to find Adreian a job in that department. Aleah knew the Backroom’s private and generally quiet atmosphere. Moreover, she recognized that the routine-based workflow, with spacious workstations assigned to each clothing hanger employee, would perfectly match Adreian’s needs.
Adreian began working in the Backroom at TJ Maxx in December. He hangs clothing alongside his Direct Support Professional (DSP), Tonia. Clothing totes are sent down a conveyor belt to Adreian and Tonia, who place the clothes onto hangers and racks and prepare the items for display. In just over a month, Adreian was named the employee of the Backroom. He earned a REACH card for hanging seven totes of clothing to be pushed out onto the sales floor. REACH stands for "Remember Everyone Affects Customer Happiness," and they are awarded to employees who go above and beyond. Adreian won a $20 gift card with his award and was excited to use it to purchase a jacket from TJ Maxx.
Adreian’s manager, Jay, praises him for his punctuality and consistent delivery of quality work. Aleah is equally pleased with Adreian’s achievements and is excited to see him flourishing in his new position, saying, “He has been doing a wonderful job, and I am incredibly proud of this placement!”
Adreian has quickly established himself as a valued member of the TJ Maxx team and stands as a shining example of successful job placement. His success story highlights the vital role that employment specialists like Aleah play in creating inclusive communities and empowering individuals through facilitating meaningful job placements.