After high school, Kara completed Nova Scotia Community College’s Achieve certificate program where she had established clear life goals for herself. When Kara joined Neil Squire’s Working Together program, she was confident in her career goals — she wanted a position where she could use her organizational skills.
Kara has Down Syndrome, and felt that her main barrier to employment was that she was very shy and found it difficult to communicate with others. Kara worked one-on-one with her Career Facilitator discussing, reflecting, and creating strategies on topics such as stress management, self-esteem, and what employers want in an employee.
Kara was looking for a supportive employer who was hiring a part time employee to work a few hours a week. If she stands for lengthy periods of time she experiences foot pain, therefore she required employment that provided flexibility of sitting and standing throughout her shift.
A local business in Pictou, , did have a need for Kara’s organizational skills and hired Kara through a Working Together wage subsidy. Seaside Treasure Trove sells a variety of items including clothing and jewelry, and as such, manages substantial amounts of inventory and maintains numerous merchandise displays.
The wage subsidy program was beneficial to both employer and employee, supplying financial assistance to the employer training a new employee and providing the new employee a longer training period to become established in their new position.
“This program was great for us because it allowed us to take Kara on as an employee and gave Kara the opportunity to see if this type of work was a fit for her!” explains Kayla, manager of Seaside Treasure Trove.
The fit was seamless.
“I love my job at Seaside Treasure Trove,” Kara says. “I organize and price products for the store. I really enjoy opening boxes of new products when they arrive. I sometimes model the clothing for social media. My co-workers are very nice to me, and I love going to work each day.”
Kara has continued to excel in her job, and also helps out at the business’s other storefronts, including Ahead of Hair, a salon located in the same location for one-stop shopping.
“She is still working with us two days a week! She is doing great! Some days she is working at Seaside Treasure Trove tidying and fixing displays, or you can find her at Ahead of Hair pricing new inventory … or she is out helping us restock at the Ship Hector Store and the Pictou Lodge,” says manager Kayla.
“Kara had always been detailed and organized, and since working with us she has picked up on the small details of our display and without instruction she will go around fixing items on the shelves.”
Way to go, Kara!