Employment Services

Mat Baker’s career as a learning trainer began after joining PRIDE Industries’ job placement assistance program in 2018, which landed him a position at Amazon. The journey wasn’t always easy, as a severe anxiety disorder initially prevented him from interacting with others or seeking a job. Employment with Amazon gave Mat the confidence and skills to overcome these obstacles and earn several promotions.

Job Placement Assistance for People with Anxiety

Mat suffered from severe panic attacks and anxiety his entire life. This prevented him from interacting with others, especially in large crowds. “At the same time, staying at home in isolation gave me a feeling of inadequacy, causing more anxiety,” he said. “It was a vicious cycle that felt impossible to overcome.”

Others with severe anxiety face similar challenges. For this reason, each of PRIDE’s job coaches works one-on-one with candidates to assess their needs, create a goal plan, and help them prepare for successful job placement.

“Just two years later, so much has changed!” Mat said. “I am employed as a learning trainer at Amazon’s Sortation Center in Vacaville, CA. I feel comfortable in what is a very hands-on position—I help train new hires and manage 60 Ambassadors to coach other associates. I’m part of a large team; all of us work together to make sure our customers get their packages on time!”

Working closely with his job coach at PRIDE Industries made all the difference for Mat. “From day one, PRIDE provided the foundation for my amazing growth,” he said. “This journey would not have happened without their job coaches. They showed me exactly what to expect and checked on me every step of the way. Job Coach Jarmar Pearson advocated for me every day, and I can’t thank him enough!”

Mat’s Ongoing Growth After Job Placement

Since day one at his new job, Mat’s confidence has grown and he went on to earn a promotion. Every step of the way, Mat’s job coach advocated for him, ensuring he had the support he needed from PRIDE and from his new Amazon team.

“This was my first job, and at the beginning, it felt daunting having to work with so many people. And there was so much to learn!” Mat shared. “But using techniques from therapy, I was able to keep a positive attitude and overcome these challenges. I remember asking the learning trainers follow-up questions, and they were always patient with me, helping to build my confidence, and speak up more.”

Mat began to realize his hard work was paying off when managers began requesting him in their areas. “I knew I could move up. When a learning trainer asked me to become an ambassador, I signed up immediately. Since I had to interact with up to 10 new hires every day, I gradually felt less anxious around others.” Thanks to his determination and targeted job placement assistance from PRIDE, Mat was proudly overcoming his anxiety and thriving at work.

Continued Advancement and Career Success

Mat continued to make an impression on the leadership team at work. “The learning trainers and the learning coordinator encouraged me to apply for a job as a seasonal trainer. Despite the fierce competition for this position, I got the job. Even though I joined during our peak season, when Amazon hires thousands of people, I rose to the challenge and earned the respect of my team. I was hired permanently in February 2020. I am proud of my ability to overcome the difficulties related to my disability. It’s exciting to realize that two years ago, I was a nervous associate coached by a learning trainer; now, I am the one teaching others! This incredible experience has created positive changes throughout my whole life.”

“It’s been a long, rewarding road, and now the sky is the limit,” Mat said. “I plan on becoming a learning coordinator or an area manager. Trust me when I say I won’t be stopping here!”

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“No words can express my gratitude for the support, the encouragement, and the hope that PRIDE has given other associates with disabilities and me. I love my job.”

As online applications become the standard, face-to-face introductions often give job seekers an edge. This option may be difficult for people who have challenges with verbal communication. PRIDE Industries’ disability job placement services and employment programs for people with disabilities is here to help navigate options and provide support. PRIDE Industries’ Job Developers reach out to businesses in the community to help place people with disabilities in the perfect job, creating the means for lasting employment success.

During the pandemic, PRIDE Industries’ Employment Services team remains hard at work to place individuals with disabilities in employment. Using videoconferencing, they are reviewing resumes, practicing online interviews, and focusing on placements for in-demand fields such as grocery stores, fulfillment, and custodial jobs.

Carlos Perez, one of PRIDE Industries’ Job Developers, places individuals in community employment and supports them through the process of getting an internship, a permanent job, and their first three months of employment. He shares his story with PRIDE below:

Disability Job Placement Services that Ensure Long-Term Success

“While studying Psychology at Sacramento State, I continued to work at Safeway as a Store Associate. I enjoyed mentoring those who were new to the job, including ways to help customers pick out the right produce and checking them out at the cash register.

During my time at Safeway, a few individuals from PRIDE’s Employment Services Program also worked at this store. In 2016, I met PRIDE Job Coach John Edwards, who explained PRIDE’s mission to create job opportunities for people with disabilities. I was so impressed by PRIDE’s work and employment services that when the opportunity came up, I took a chance and joined as a Job Coach in 2017.

Job coaches help ensure the long-term success of individuals with disabilities after job placement. I work with people with a variety of disabilities, including many on the Autism (ASD) spectrum. Everyone has their unique talents; for example, those with ASD often have excellent memory and organizational skills. However, all placements work hard to contribute to their position.

Job Placement for People Facing Barriers to Employment

After a year, I was promoted to Job Developer for PRIDE’s Youth Services program, focusing on placing young adults that have disabilities, who are emancipating from foster care, and survivors of sex trafficking into employment.

Getting to that final point can be a challenge, as it ranges from 4 to 7 months to place a person. Ultimately, it comes down to the individual’s persistence and willingness to continue.

Many of my clients have dealt with trauma. We are sensitive to their pasts and help them develop more confidence by creating their resumes and arranging for paid internships in community internships.

Retail jobs are my most frequent placements; it’s an excellent match for my clients as they are just getting into the job market and have the chance to build up necessary skills such as customer service.

Beyond Job Placement Services: Cultivating Vital Skills

Knowing how to talk to employers is tough for anyone, especially if you have a disability. Many of my clients communicate differently and struggle with eye contact and anxiety. PRIDE Employment Services provides training in skills that are necessary to succeed at work. Additionally, following up with the employer often helps. They are more willing to give the individual an opportunity once they learn that PRIDE is there to provide ongoing support.

When approaching a potential employer to help place an individual, I usually go in-person to introduce myself. Paper only gets you so far!

Along with job planning, I help my clients develop an education plan if they desire to attend college. I remind them that it is essential to focus on performing well at their jobs; it’s a good stepping stone to building a career. I use my previous experience at Safeway as an example, as it taught me a strong work ethic and customer service skills.

When my clients get jobs, and their families thank me, it’s truly priceless and the best part of my job. Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”

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“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”

Transition to civilian life is often complicated and overwhelming. Without the proper support, many veterans find themselves disconnected from the community and services that they need to adjust. In Hawaii, many veterans become homeless as a result of these challenges; they face incredible obstacles to rejoining their communities. PRIDE Industries has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide employment services, job training, and more to help veterans overcome these barriers.

Going Beyond Employment Services for Veterans in Hawaii

Sean Sullivan was enthusiastic to support people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, including our nation’s veterans. He became an AbilityOne Recruiter and Employment Services Manager with PRIDE Industries in 2015. Since then he has been providing practical assistance to veterans struggling to find jobs and adapt to civilian life.

But Sean’s efforts did not stop at employment and training services. He connected with Jackie Nguyen, the Community Employment Coordinator (CEC) of the VA Homeless Veterans Employment Services, to explore additional ways they could improve outreach and job placement efforts to address more of the barriers that veterans were facing.

“When I started as a recruiter, many veterans were referred to my office for placement into PRIDE Industries,” Sean said. “Due to increasing demand, we began to offer services to place people into other jobs and careers in the community, addressing the barriers and obstacles that they faced in getting a job, including housing, transportation, mental and physical health, and transitioning from the military into civilian life.”

Helping Veterans Find Jobs in Their Community

“We both found that many veterans struggle to look for new jobs through USAJOBs or other traditional methods that they are encouraged to use,” said Sean. “Jackie and I strategized on ways to increase the numbers of unemployed veterans placed in employment. Our first course of action was to reach out to employers, like Marriott Hotels, in person, to show how PRIDE Industries and the VA work together to provide employment support for veterans. We emphasize how hiring our nation’s veterans can make a business a true partner in strengthening our communities.”

To help veterans gain job skills, Sean and Jackie began hosting monthly workshops at the Department of Labor and elsewhere. Activities include resume writing, interview role play, team building exercises, and learning how to apply for jobs on USAJOBS.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Hawaii also participated in the workshops and provided insights and tips to workshop attendees on how to apply for Federal jobs,” said Sean.

Connecting Veterans with Local Employers

In October 2019, PRIDE worked with the Homeless Veterans Employment services to start conducting monthly job fairs. The local Veteran Center and American Job Center were gracious to allow the employment team free use of their space. Promoted locally, the job fair takes place on the first Monday of each month. The local Disability:In Hawaii Chapter and other businesses on Oahu invite employers to interview and offer jobs on the spot.

“So far, since the monthly job fairs started, we have had seven (7) veterans offered jobs on the spot, and an additional nine (9) interviews scheduled in December 2019. We look forward to getting more veterans hired in 2020 and partnering with more businesses to fulfill their staffing need for a qualified workforce,” said Sean.

PRIDE Industries offers a variety of employment services for veterans in Hawaii and across the country. Find out how our vocational training, job placement services, and internship opportunities can help you build a strong career path.

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“We emphasize how hiring our nation’s veterans can make a business a true partner in strengthening our communities.”

Most people remember that first job right out of high school. Developing a professional resume, navigating through interview questions, and proving yourself despite a lack of experience, all made reaching that milestone even more special. However, for youth with disabilities, these obstacles are compounded, making that first paycheck even more elusive. This problem hinders further markers of independence, like moving into a new apartment, affording higher education, or purchasing a car. PRIDE Industries offers employment services to help people with disabilities prepare for and secure their first job out of high school and begin the path to their chosen career.

Partnering with PRIDE Employment Services to Overcome Obstacles

Alexzander turned to PRIDE Industries’ employment services after he graduated high school in 2018. He had minimal experience working in his high school and at a camp for youth in foster care. He was eager for his first permanent job, but after months of searching, he hadn’t found one.

“Whenever I saw a help wanted sign, I would go into the store to fill out an application and introduce myself. While speaking to the manager, I would become incredibly nervous, start stuttering, and completely forget what I wanted to say. Months went by, and I couldn’t find anything. I just wanted a job where I could grow.”

PRIDE Industries’ employment services helped bridge this gap. Alexzander met Carlos Perez, a job developer, via referral, and together they developed a resume and cover letter and practiced interviewing. PRIDE also provided Alexzander with professional work clothes, a planner, and other items to help him succeed.

“I have a learning disability, and Carlos worked with me to develop ways to overcome my anxiety and remember the correct steps while applying and interviewing for a job,” said Alexzander. “The consistent practice made me more confident since I knew that I had support, and Carlos would accompany me to meet with potential employers.”

Employment Services: Laying A Foundation for the Future

All their hard work paid off when Carlos helped connect Alexzander to a paid internship, funded by donations to PRIDE, at a local Rite-Aid store. Eager to start working, Alexzander continually showed up with a positive attitude, impressing his colleagues. “It meant so much when my manager told me that my entire team wanted to invite me to join them as a store associate!”

“I am currently thriving in my job and am starting to learn how to become a cashier and change prices. The best part of each day is making someone’s day a little better.”

Thanks to PRIDE’s donors, Alexzander is now able to build a foundation for his future career. “While learning new skills at my job, I have been saving up money for college; I plan to study computer coding to become a video game or animation designer.

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“I am currently thriving in my job and am starting to learn how to become a cashier and change prices. The best part of each day is making someone’s day a little better.”

Human trafficking involves the use of coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide; victims can vary in age, race, gender, and nationality. Traffickers often start the cycle by gaining the trust of the survivor, offering a romantic relationship or friendship. Breaking out of this pattern is incredibly difficult. Trafficking survivors need multiple levels of support to start healing and regain independence.

PRIDE Industries and 3Strands Global Foundation, an organization that combats human trafficking through prevention education and reintegration programs, have partnered to provide employment opportunities to survivors and at-risk youth. Shemeca, a participant in these programs, has graciously agreed to share her story.

Breaking the Human Trafficking Cycle

“My mother was a human trafficking survivor; I too fell into the same vicious cycle of abuse. The pattern started after a boyfriend in college assaulted me. My friends didn’t understand what I went through, and I felt like I couldn’t talk to anyone. I lost my confidence and self-worth.”

Shemeca survived many years of abuse by different traffickers. “I was kidnapped, assaulted, and sometimes held at gunpoint. I thought that the only way to earn my trafficker’s respect was by earning money. I didn’t know my own self-worth and had to play by their rules. I now understand that it was abuse, not love.”

After moving to California in 2017, Shemeca was determined to make a fresh start away from her abusers. Transitioning to a new path was frightening, including breaking a drug habit, Shemeca was determined to move forward.

“My faith has been my way of coping through rough situations and gives me the courage to move ahead,” she shared.

PRIDE’s Trafficking Survivor Assistance Program

After entering safe housing and graduating from an introductory program, Shemeca was connected to 3Strands Global Foundation, which referred to her to PRIDE Industries’ trafficking survivor assistance program.

Shemeca needed to rejoin the workforce to gain independence and start to build a career. However, with limited resources for school and gaps in her resume, she soon became discouraged.

To help Shemeca overcome these obstacles, PRIDE Job Developer Lisa Huizenga assisted with navigating the referral process of government and nonprofit resource programs, including the California Department of Rehabilitation. They worked together to develop her resume and cover letter, arranged for transportation, and purchased professional work clothes.

“To get this amount of support later in my life is incredible,” said Shemeca. “Knowing that I had people behind me ultimately gave me the strength to heal and develop healthier habits.”

A Bright Future for Trafficking Survivors

The perfect opportunity came when PRIDE placed Shemeca into an internship at 3Strands, funded by donations to PRIDE’s Development and Donor Services. She has been a crucial contributor to the organization’s Break Free Run, a 5K/10K walk/run, that also hosts live music and food vendors.

“In my role, I am responsible for coordinating different details of the event, completing outreach assignments, and making phone calls to potential runners and donors,” said Shemeca.

“Although I was hesitant to tell my story at first, I began to see how it made more people aware of this silent crisis happening around them. It made me find my own voice.”

“Regardless of the many trials and setbacks that Shemeca has encountered throughout her life, she has remained steadfast and focused on her goals,” said Lisa. “With her drive and courage, she truly encourages other survivors that they too can overcome their pasts.”

It has meant the world to Shemeca to be able to help other human trafficking survivors to start a new life. “This internship has been an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I hope to start a nonprofit to help trafficked women rise above their circumstances and gain freedom.”

Shemeca’s internship with 3Strands will end in November when she is expecting the arrival of a new child. In the meantime, she is focused on finishing her education at Sacramento City College.

“Continuing to attend college will be a challenge, but I’m determined to work through this,” said Shemeca. “I’m excited about my future and finding a stable career and housing. You can fall back in life, but ultimately, it’s how you pick yourself up that matters.”

Thanks to PRIDE Industries’ generous donors, Shemeca will continue to receive job and career support as she finishes her degree, effectively breaking the cycle of abuse and building a positive future. We are proud of how far she has come.

Need employment placement support?

Contact our I AM ABLE Helpline to discuss your options.

“This internship has been an amazing opportunity; I hope to start a nonprofit to help trafficked women rise above their circumstances and gain freedom.”

Like many young adults with disabilities, John* (name changed) struggled to find a job. After several months, John’s father was concerned that his son would never reach this important milestone of independence. Moreover, he feared that John was quickly running out of time.

With this in mind, they reached out to PRIDE Industries’ Youth Services program. This program provides job coaching assistance and connects qualified candidates with local employment and internship opportunities.

Internship Opportunities and Job Programs for Adults with Disabilities

Then, things changed for the better when John met Carlos Perez, a PRIDE Industries Job Developer. Carlos worked one-on-one with John, teaching him fundamental skills for job success. As John worked with Carlos, his confidence grew, and he began making significant progress towards his goals.

However, the real challenge began when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing hiring to a standstill. Despite this setback, Carlos was able to arrange a paid internship opportunity for John at Walgreens. Generous donors to The Michael Ziegler PRIDE Industries Foundation made this opportunity possible. With on-the-job coaching from PRIDE Industries, John is making progress in his new role. Significantly, he has impressed his manager, who is considering hiring him after the internship ends.

Partner with Youth Services

John got his foot in the door and is on track to accomplishing what he never thought was possible. If you’re a young adult with a disability or other barrier to employment and are struggling to find a job, PRIDE Industries can help you, too. Partner with Youth Services to learn new skills, find internship and job opportunities, access assistive technology on the job, receive ongoing support, and so much more.

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