At WorkLink (TransCen’s San Francisco project), we know that the dignity and self-worth that comes from employment cannot be overstated. For 20 years, we have been providing the services and supports people with disabilities need to go to work. We assist individuals with discovering their passion and building the skills they need for today’s job market. We work with Bay Area employers to look creatively at their company’s needs and workflow issues. WorkLink then partners with these businesses to create cost-effective staffing solutions, recruit candidates, and support the training process. In this season of giving, please help WorkLink create opportunities that change lives.
Meet Enrique!
When Enrique was in school, he had a job bagging groceries at a supermarket, but it was challenging for him to provide customer service. “I don’t like when customers tell me negative things,” Enrique described. He ended up losing this job, shattering his self-confidence and motivation to work. When Enrique came to TransCen’s WorkLink project, staff focused on identifying his strengths and interests. He was placed in an internship at a local hospital where he explored different jobs. Enrique quickly realized he liked office environments and was really good at clerical tasks. To improve his computer skills, WorkLink enrolled Enrique in keyboarding classes, where his typing speed increased from 15 to 63 WPM. Thanks to these positive experiences, and the glowing references from his internship managers, Enrique regained his confidence and realized he could be successful in a job .
Last September, WorkLink was contacted by Veritas Investments, a growing San Francisco real estate investment firm. They were looking for support for their facilities department. WorkLink’s staff worked with Veritas to assess the company’s needs and look for ways to support their very busy office. A customized position was created that proved to be perfect match for Enrique’s skills. Enrique was hired to start part-time, restocking workstations, inventorying office supplies, and cleaning conference rooms and kitchens. His responsibilities and job tasks quickly grew. Enrique is now supporting the property management team, filing leases, processing mailings, and organizing bank deposits. He is a full-time employee with a complete benefits package. At the company-wide meeting last week, Yat-Pang Au, the President of Veritas Investments awarded Enrique the Culture Champion Award for 2017 and commended Enrique on his “can do” attitude and his commitment to their company.
Enrique says, ” I love my job at Veritas. I have lots of new friends. I’m learning lots of new things and get to help Mario and my other coworkers. I have money to do fun things, like go to dinner and movies with my girlfriend. I help my mother with bills-and we are going on a vacation to Los Angeles over the holidays. In 2018, I want to get my own apartment and go to Hawaii.”
Enrique is now helping others by advocating for employment for individuals with disabilities. He’s presented to the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and at the state senate taskforce on autism and employment. In 2018, he plans to join the client advocacy board for the Regional Center.
Your donations make outcomes like Enrique’s possible.
It allows us to take the time and staff expertise to work closely with all of our individuals to develop social and soft skills, find opportunities that align with each individual’s interests, purchase supports to assist an employee with his/her job, and find an employment opportunity that “fits.”