Client Success Story- William Dwight "Finding work at The Founders Inn"

William was referred to The Choice Group by Vocational Counselor, Susan Bohache, with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services in April 2016 and was paired with Job Coach Ali Dodd and they soon found a position available at a local IHop in Chesapeake in July of 2016 but had to resign upon his families relocation. He rejoined in hopes of finding another job in Virginia Beach after his family relocated in April of 2017. William has been working with his vocational counselor Heidi beginning again in August of 2017 when he restarted services through DARS and began working with The Choice Group again. Assessments were tried initially in a grocery store, bagging groceries, collecting carts and cleaning bathrooms as well as working as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. His job coach conducted research in hopes of finding William a position somewhere where he would feel most comfortable and thrive. A position at the Founders Inn, for a Steward, came available and William applied for the job online. After an interview with the Sous Chef, Joshua Kelly, Head Chef, Ian Robbins and a panel interview with four managers from different departments, William was hired for the position.

The Founders Inn is a much larger operation than IHop and has a function for hundreds of patrons at a time. Williams duties included washing dishes, removing trash and cleaning the kitchen. After a period of adjustment, and working with a wonderful and supportive staff, William is now called “a star” by the chefs who manage the huge kitchen. William has recently begun training new Stewards and loves his job, often working 40 hours per week.

William has benefited from his supportive parents, as well as the helpful staff and management at The Founders Inn and is moving toward independence. William enjoys walking to work when the weather permits or uses a ride-sharing service when it does not. In the last two years, William has only missed one day of work and successfully manages all of his own bills and expenses.