Walgreens and SOAR365 team up to create jobs for people with disabilities at their Hanover micro-fulfillment center.
Ask Myles if he likes working at Walgreens, and his response is enthusiastic: “Well, yeah! I do!” It’s his very first job. “I am proud!” he says, beaming.
In 2023, SOAR365’s Employment Services team reached out to Walgreens to begin discussing a potential partnership. Today, we have three Supported Employment participants working in their state-of-the-art micro-fulfillment center in Hanover County.
Andrew was the first to be hired ten months ago. He receives medicine bags on a conveyor belt and places them on a robot for scanning. The bags are then sent off to be packed into totes and shipped to pharmacies. It’s an important role that grants Andrew an income and more independence. “It’s fulfilling,” he says.
Adrienne Snead is their SOAR365 Supported Employment Specialist (or “job coach”). Our job coaches identify each participant’s skills and interests and help them try out different work environments. Adrienne thought of Andrew for this job because “I knew Andrew had worked in an industrial field.” Job coaches then assist with the application process, and provide on-the-job support, as needed.
For all three participants, the work is rewarding. “My favorite part of the job is having a calm and focused mind,” says Myles. Deandre, another Walgreens employee, says that for him, it’s “the people and some of the work I do.” Deandre has had a job before, but he feels this one is a better fit.
Both Myles and Deandre say their families are excited for them. They also give credit to Adrienne for helping them find the job and succeed in it. “She’s cool,” says Deandre. “She helps a lot,” says Myles, “We appreciate it, too!”
“They’re all doing a wonderful job. They’re quick learners,” says Adrienne. “If they have any issues, they are able to get accommodations as needed.”
Nikole, HR Senior Generalist at Walgreens, says she’s seen Andrew, Deandre and Myles “being able to thrive in the [job] setting and grow in their respective areas.” She’s also noticed tremendous growth in their interpersonal skills.
Adrienne agrees. “They have a lot of natural supports here, and I’m here to be able to support them as well and make sure everything is running smoothly,” she adds. “Everyone at Walgreens loves all of them.”
Did you know? The unemployment rate is twice as high for people with disabilities in the U.S.* In 2022, just 45.7% of adults with disabilities (ages 18-64) living in the community in Virginia were employed, compared to 80.3% of adults without disabilities in the same age group.†
You can help us provide career guidance and training! Visit soar365.org/donate. Your gift helps people with disabilities find and keep meaningful jobs.
Interested in learning more about Supported Employment? Please visit soar365.org/employment-services or contact Chris Martin at (804) 381-5405 or [email protected].
* U.S. Department of Labor
† Center for Research on Disability, Annual Disability Statistics