Community partnerships and SOAR365’s Supported Employment build independence.
Tymon may be quiet at first, but at work, his confidence speaks for itself.
For the past year and a half, heโs worked as a dishwasher at the Westwood Club. He takes pride in his space, keeps things running smoothly, and shows up each day ready to do his job well.
His path there started with a simple opportunityโand SOAR365โs Supported Employment program.
โWe did a tour here, and a dishwasher position came up,โ says his SOAR365 employment specialist, Tyree. Although Tymon had been interested in a stocking position, Tyree notes, โhe was brave and willing to try something new.โ
Like many SOAR365 participants, Tymon was referred through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), which helps adults with disabilities find jobs in the community. The need is significantโnationwide, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than twice that of their nondisabled peers.
Thatโs where SOAR365 comes in.
Our employment specialists (or โjob coachesโ) take time to understand each personโs strengths, interests, and goals. Then they connect them with local businessesโlike the Westwood Clubโthat are open to building inclusive teams and creating meaningful jobs with competitive pay.
When Tymon first started, he was very quiet.
โHe came in extremely shy,โ Tyree says. โBut he caught on quickly.โ
The job turned out to be a strong fit. Tymon enjoys having his own quiet space to work and stay focused. At first, the fast paceโespecially during busy timesโwas a challenge. With practice and Tyreeโs support, he built both his skills and his confidence.
Today, Tymon works independently and knows exactly what needs to be done.
โHeโs extremely confident. He comes in, he knows exactly what to do,โ says Tyree. โHeโs done a great job.โ
His growth hasnโt gone unnoticed.
โTymon has been an asset to Westwood,โ says Jade Meredith, Westwood Club Administrator. โWhen he first started, he was reserved and hesitant to talk. Now, being part of a team, he chats and takes so much pride in the area he works in. We are so glad that we have employed Tymon through our involvement with SOAR365.โ
And Tymonโs independence extends beyond the job. He rides the bus to work on his own and communicates directly with his supervisor when he needs time off or support.
As Tymon has grown, Tyree has stepped backโremaining available, but making sure Tymon can succeed on his own.
โThe team here really supported him,โ Tyree says. โThey encouraged him and helped him grow.โ
And Tymon continues to show up with purpose.
โHe still has that fire,โ Tyree says. โHe comes to work every day, committed and proud of what heโs doing.โ
Stories like Tymonโs reflect whatโs possible when people with disabilities are given the right support and opportunity. SOAR365 and our dedicated business partners, like the Westwood Club, help adults with disabilities learn skills, build confidence, and find new ways to contribute to our community.
Want to learn more about Supported Employment? Visit our website at soar365.org. If you’d like to donate and help create more jobs for adults with disabilities like Tymon, click here. And to keep up to date on all things SOAR365, follow us onย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย YouTubeย andย LinkedIn.
