Success Stories

Shawn Harmon

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation referred Shawn to us on February 2, 2003. They requested we complete a work assessment to asses Shawn’s skills, knowledge and ability. Shawn’s disability is a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Freidreich Ataxia. Although he uses a wheel chair to get around, he drives a van and has no problem with transportation to and from any destination.

We arranged for his assessment to begin on March 5, 2003 at Yakima Medical Systems. His responsibility was to clean and disinfect respiratory equipment and do system checks to make sure they ran correctly. He also cleaned and repaired a few wheelchairs.

Shawn’s work performance received excellent reviews. He showed a positive attitude toward the supervisors as well as with his co-workers. He carried out assignments as specified, communicated effectively and followed rules well. He completed his work accurately, neatly and thoroughly. Shawn showed initiative and god judgment when minimal instructions were given. He showed proper respect for others and was more than willing to give help to co-workers if requested. They were able to ask for needed assistance from him and he always showed a positive attitude when working with others.

Shawn’s achievements at Yakima Medical Supply lead to his employment at Keehler’s Medical Supply. When we introduced him to Keehler’s, they were eager to give him training to test his abilities. They were so pleased with his work that they hired him on September 12, 2003 and built him his own workstation. Shawn continues to be employed and very happy at Keehler’s Medical Supply.

Danielle Donohue

When Danielle came to Provident Horizon Group (PHG) for assistance finding a job, she preferred working in a medical office setting as a receptionist from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Danielle had an interesting background with qualifications and experience that would be beneficial to any employer. She graduated from West Valley High School in 1997 and attended some business courses at Yakima Valley Community College. In September of 2000, she enrolled in the Legal/Medical Administrative Support Program at the Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center. She learned medical terminology, some medical transcription, mail and filing procedures, telephone techniques, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. She learned the importance of work ethics, professionalism and confidentiality. She completed the program in October of 2002.

Because Danielle is legally blind and hard of hearing, PHG did an assessment on her, found that office work would be difficult for her, as most office settings require the skill of multi-tasking and accuracy in filing so PHG suggested we assist her to apply for a Courtesy Clerk position at Safeway.

Danielle interviewed at the Yakima Safeway Store and was hired on May 11, 2004. At first, she was not happy with this job because she did not want to work nights or weekends, but as time went on, she learned to love it. She continues to do well and recently passed the Checkers test.

Danielle has thanked us several times for finding her this job. She recently called and said, “I absolutely love working with Safeway and the customers and do not think I would have been happy working behind a desk.”

DARIN PRESLEY - A Journey to independence

What can I say about our Mr. Darin Presley? In one word “Remarkable!’

It all started when Darin came into services in 1992. He was determined to find employment and live independently. He has come a long way baby!

Darin really wanted to work and contribute to the community. He has all the same dreams and goals that people without disabilities have.

Provident assessed Darin’s talents, job search skills and assisted with a placement at Pizza Hut in 1993. He was doing so great that he graduated from services and worked very successfully for years. He then realized that he was capable of much more, both professionally and personally. He came back to Provident with the same spitfire and spunk he displayed when he first came into services.

Provident assisted him in a few job explorations before the perfect match was found. In January 2002, he was offered a position at Rosauers. With the help of his job coach, he has expanded his skills to include courtesy clerk, and other duties as needed.

Darin has also made his mark striving to set goals for others with disabilities by being elected as a Region 2 representative for People First. The purpose/mission of People First of Washington is to assist people with disabilities to realize and appreciate that they are people first and their disabilities are second. PEOPLE FIRST also advocates that people with disabilities are equal citizens in our community.

Darin in my eyes has brought me to see that anything is possible. He has taught me not to give up when times are tough and that you can do anything you put your mind to. You would never guess that Darin has a disability. To see him come all this way makes me take a new and better outlook on life. Those little things that are petty and trivial do not hold a candle to this man.

Darin is getting married in February 2005. He obtained his drivers license through the help of Provident Services and A-1 Driving School. He lives independently in an apartment with his fiancé and now is working on purchasing a new car.

Lyssa Compton

Lyssa is a great example of what a person with determination can do when they have a dream and have the necessary supports in place to achieve it.

Lyssa knew for a long time that she wanted to work with children and that this would be a good job for her. Her Employment Counselor at Provident Horizon Group (PHG) agreed. After completing interview training and job readiness classes at PHG, through the UpSkills program, Lyssa, applied for a position at Children’s Village. After completing the application and interview process, she was selected as one of the candidates for an internship with Children’s Village and eventually was chosen as the person for the job.

Lyssa started working five days a week at Children’s Village as a Therapy Aide. She enjoyed her job and the people she worked with. She learned that “you have to have good communication with your boss or else you won’t get the job done right.” Eventually, Lyssa was promoted to Therapy Aide at the 16th Avenue Station. She likes the increased interaction with the public and her co-workers and sees this job as a stepping-stone to better things.

The staff at 16th Avenue Station agree that Lyssa is a benefit to them. Their prep time is faster, and they love being able to devote more time to their patients instead of spending their time cleaning rooms after treatments. They’ve also benefited in other ways…..they have learned the value of “communicating clearly and effectively.”

Octavio Negrete

Octavio entered services with the EnTrust Community Services (formerly Provident Horizon Group) in March 2004 through a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation assessment. Following a community based assessment, Bi-Rite Lumber of Sunnyside hired Octavio and he has been employed there ever since. After his placement Octavio stated “EnTrust Community Services helped me to get my job and to learn all of the job duties. The job readiness classes are really good, too”.