- Troy & Huntleigh USA
     - Gavin & The Heathman Lodge
     - Shelli and Red Lion Hotel at the Quay
     - Kerri & DSHS Children's Administration

(Click On a Link Above to View The Success Story)

Troy & Huntleigh USA

In 2002, Goldman & Associates, Inc. teamed up with Huntleigh USA to help Troy work as a Baggage Agent at Portland International Airport.

Troy is a resilient, hard working person that does not let his disability interfere with his dreams.

In the summer of 2002 Troy lost his job when the company he had worked for closed its plant in Washington and moved production to Mexico.

At this point Goldman & Associates, Inc. began assisting Troy to find a new full time position. After being unemployed for less than a month a position was developed for Troy at PDX with Huntleigh USA.

Goldman & Associates, Inc. assisted Huntleigh USA in understanding how Troy could contribute to their needs at the airport and by providing training and support to their personnel working with Troy. According to Simon J. Robinson, the General Manager of Huntleigh USA at PDX, "Goldman & Associates, Inc. support and interaction has made Troy's employment possible. Troy has been recognized by Huntleigh USA's clients for his performance during high pressure times at the airport."

The bottom line in Huntleigh USA's commitment to working with Troy is their ability to see Troy as an individual who is hard working and dedicated. They are able to go beyond seeing Troy as someone who is disabled.

Pictured above:
Huntleigh USA at Portland International Airport:
left - Hoyt Martin - Training Manager, center - Valerie Vance - HR Supervisor, right - Rod Linnell - Payroll Supervisor, seated - Simon J. Robinson - General Manager

Gavin & The Heathman Lodge

In the Fall of 2002, Goldman & Associates, Inc. teamed up with The Heathman Lodge to find Gavin work. Gavin was hired by The Heathman Lodge to assist the housekeeping department in keeping the halls, stairways, and elevators clean for guests.

Goldman & Associates, Inc. helped Gavin secure this position which is just a few blocks from his house. The first thing that we did when Gavin was hired was provide intensive support to help Gavin learn his job. We developed a task book to allow Gavin to work independently to complete the tasks assigned by his supervisors.

Goldman & Associates, Inc. has provided the support and training that Gavin needed to learn his job. We have also provided long-term support to help Gavin learn any new responsibilities assigned to his job. We have been with Gavin since the day he was hired and will continue to support him in the future.

Gavin has become an exemplary employee at The Heathman Lodge. "He comes to work every day with a smile on his face, and strives to do his best every day which serves as an example to our staff and a role model to me. He takes pride in his work and always strives to finish everything that he has been asked to do.", said Brian McClary, the Room Division Manager at The Heathman Lodge.

Pictured above:
Gavin and his supervisors at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA.
Left to Right: Tammy Dobbs - Housekeep Supervisor, Maryiam Rabuh - Housekeeping Supervisor, Gavin Hansen - Hall Attendant, Brian McClary - Room Division Manager

Shelli and Red Lion Hotel at the Quay

Shelli was born with Downs Syndrome 39 years ago. Her father passed away in an untimely manner when Shelli was a young girl. She was raised to excel by her mother Kate who set the bar high for her. She was taught to do house chores and held accountable from an early age. Shelli has always been involved in Church activities and would play her tambourine and sing at our company picnics. She also shared her talents with the staff at the Red Lion. In 1991 Shelli was in a group employment program. At that time the employer said Shelli will never be able to work in a main stream community based job. This did not sit well with her mother Shelli Fanning with her proud mother, Kate Fanning Kate Fanning who approached the DD board and by no uncertain means expressed her opinion and then some as we joke about 14 years later. Shelli was then referred to G&A, Inc. as the first person that entered our Supported Employment Program.

Since 1991 The Red Lion at the Quay has made a solid and unwavering commitment in hiring individuals with disabilities and minorities. To date Cerise Jolliver, Regional Director of Human Resources, has assisted in hiring over 30 people with disabilities and countless minorities. Cerise has been discussing and searching how the Red Lion can integrate low income, minorities and individuals with disabilities since her first meeting with Goldman & Associates in 1989. She was always ahead of the curve and has continued to make opportunities for people. Her assistant Jean Watson is very accommodating, offering encouragement and support to all employee. They strive to create an atmosphere of respect and teamwork and it shows when you walk into the property.

Cerise and I talked about supported employment prior to our contract and as soon as we started our program the housekeeping supervisor, Cerise, Shelli and I carved out a job for her as a housekeeping aid. Cerise and Jean Watson, Vera Dabiy, Shelli Fanning, Lisa Pearson, and Cerise Jolliver staff have made accommodations since the get go when terms like job carving, job coach, inclusion where not in the main stream vernacular. They have not abandoned employees when they were having difficult, but have done all they can and beyond to help the employee become successful. Many employees have advanced to high positions and the retention rate has been high. In fourteen years, Shelli has only missed two days of work due to severe flu.

Since Lisa Pearson became the housekeeping supervisor several years ago she made a commitment to except nothing but the best from Shelli. Lisa makes accommodations for her but will do nothing that enables Shelli to work below her potential. Through the years Shelli has been given increased responsibilities and has made the most out of it. A great team has been establish between Lisa, Shelli, Nancy her job coach and Kate, Shelli's mother.

When the recession hit following 9-11, The Red Lion continued their commitment to Shelli when many employers made cuts. Shelli continues to participate in all staff meetings and social events. She was elected "Employee of the Month," by her follow housekeepers and proudly wore her badge. I would like to add that Shelli is legally blind and has 20% sight.
 
This October, during National Disability Awareness Week 2005, The Red Lion at the Quay, (Cerise Jolliver and Lisa Pierson) and Shelli Fanning were nominated as employer and employee par excellence for the National Disability Employment Awareness Community Award. Sponsored by the Clark County Developmental Disability Advisory Board and Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, this award is to honor the role people with disabilities have in assisting us to achieve a dynamic, productive workforce and recognize the leadership of the business community. And, both were recipients of the Community Award!

Kerri & DSHS Children's Administration

When I was working at the Ice Arena I told my job coach I really wanted to do clerical work. When an opening came up with DSHS she helped me apply and get the job.

G&A help training me and helped me overcome some problems I had with getting distracted on the job. I worked with my job coach and supervisor to work things out. I really like my co-workers and we work together as a team. My job coach helped me prioritize, developed a training book with cues to keep me on task. I feel successful due to the help of my co-workers whenever I need help. I truly appreciate the help G&A has given me throughout the years.

--Kerri

It's been thrilling to watch Kerri learn and grow during the last five years. She has become invaluable to us. She does a lot of copying of confidential client case files, works on special projects, helps stocking and taking deliveries, maintains orderly copy rooms, makes sure there is paper for all our copiers, printers, and faxes, and much more.

Any time Kerri has needed special direction, her worker/counselor would come on site and help Kerri learn new tasks or re-train to work differently with us. She is bubbly, friendly, and fun to work with. Kerri seems to enjoy and take pride in her job.

Peggy Prager
Facilities Manager
DSHS Children's Administration
Vancouver/Stevenson