Patty was laid off from a local hotel’s laundry staff at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Afterwards, she spent most of her time alone during lockdown, describing herself as a home body who was very shy and was timid of trying new things.
She decided to join Neil Squire’s Working Together program to find employment, particularly with a predictable routine.
Over the phone, Patty worked with her Career Facilitator to become employment ready, spending sessions learning about topics like disclosing her disability and communicating with employers. She found these sessions to be quite helpful, learning about stress management and positive self-talk.
She had received services from (formerly Colchester Community Workshops), a non-profit that creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
STEPS on Arthur runs the New to You retail store, and they were looking to re-open as provincial restrictions loosened. They needed a COVID screener.
Patty got the job! The Working Together program provided a wage subsidy to assist with her training.
While she knew it was going to be challenge, Patty looked forward to learning new things and getting out of the house.
Learning to deal with her stress and how to manage difficult situations, Patty contributed her success to the support she received from management and co-workers at STEPS on Arthur.
“They were there for me when I faced situations I needed help with and made me feel I could do it. Over time I just became comfortable to handle things myself,” she says.
When a COVID screener was no longer needed at the store, she was then offered a position as a utility worker within the retail store where she received more training on the cash register, sorting, restocking, opening the store, and checking customers for needed paperwork to enter the store.
Through her employment she has learned resilience, great customer service skills, and confidence in herself. “I did not think I could do what I can do!”
Her employer agrees.
“It has been a pleasure to see Patty’s growth over the past 18 months. Since participating in the Neil Squire program, her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and learn new skills has been remarkable. Patty has learned not only to advocate for herself, but she has also mastered [her job skills],” says the STEPS on Arthur operations manager. “Congratulations Patty, we couldn’t be prouder!”
Patty now works 30 to 40 hours a week at New to Youth as a utility worker, and has obtained two jobs outside of STEPS on Arthur, including baking part-time.
“My new motto is, ‘Go with the flow!’” Patty says. “I love going to work and looking forward to what the day brings, I will do it all, whatever needs to be done. The people are great, my customers know me by my first name, and I am happy to go to work!”