PaRC News

For Adam, hard work has been the “Key” to giant success. After working for seven years at Giant Food Stores, Adam took on the challenge of a second job at Key Business Solutions, and OVR support helped make it possible.

Adam has a reputation at Giant as a steadfast and excellent employee, and his success there led him to seek the job at Key.

“I wanted to challenge myself and expand my skillset,” Adam said. “I like to stay busy and productive.”

In the summer of 2019, while still working at Giant, Adam resumed job finding and job development services, thanks to support from OVR. Having honed his skills in sales and customer service, Adam sought a job that would present an opportunity to develop a different set of skills.

Key Business Solutions proved to be the perfect fit. He interviewed in August for a position as an Administrative Clerk, and by the end of the month was hard at work in his new role at the business consulting firm.

His favorite task is using the automated stamp machine to stamp and seal outgoing mail, but he’s a jack-of-all-trades around the office, filing papers, shredding documents, and preparing outgoing orders by selecting office supply items from the supply closet, packaging them, and scheduling a pickup with FedEx. Not only has Adam impressed his managers with his independence and ability to quickly learn new tasks, but his mother credits the job at Key for being the nudge he needed to finally get his driver’s license.

“Being able to drive has given him significant independence and led to many other things for him,” she said. “It’s even led to another work experience! Since he can drive, he was able to get paid to pet sit.”

Two jobs means long days, but for Adam, kicking back at the end of a workday doesn’t mean slowing down: when not at his desk at Key or on the job at Giant, you can find him cruising around on his skateboard, classic rock coming from his earbuds. His story exemplifies the way that OVR opens the door to greater possibilities.

When Hayden needed a new job, support from OVR helped him make a crucial career transition.

Hayden had worked in the mental health field for nearly 40 years. In 2017, however, the agency he worked for closed its doors, and Hayden found himself looking for a job.

Hayden is visually impaired, and BBVS connected him with Community Integrated Services (CIS). CIS is a supported employment provider that helps people with disabilities find and thrive in meaningful employment.

“I met with someone from OVR, and he referred me to Jon at CIS,” said Hayden. “As he was looking over my work history he said, ‘You know, you’d be perfect for working right here.’”

CIS hired Hayden as a job coach, where he helps to support CIS participants at their places of employment across Philadelphia.

Hayden was initially hired for a part-time role, but he excelled so much in his position that he’s now working full time, with all the attendant benefits. He loves the job, and will soon be celebrating two years at CIS.

“It’s really interesting work,” said Hayden. “You’re trying to bring somebody along, help give somebody greater independence, and coaching is one of the most effective ways to do it.”