Posts

Excelling Through Project SEARCH

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At The Choice Group, we are dedicated to fostering the talents of individuals through tailored employment programs. Vincent Murray from our Hampton Roads team shares the remarkable work of Xavion Simon, who has thrived through Project SEARCH and Supported Employment. Xavion began as an intern with Project SEARCH in April 2023. His exceptional performance during the internship led to a job offer from Sentara's Environmental Service Department. Since starting in this position, Xavion has demonstrated incredible dedication in his role. Xavion's attention to detail, effective communication, teamwork, and time management skills have made him highly proficient in his duties. These strengths have enabled him to excel in tasks such as cleaning, mopping, and sanitizing various hospital areas, including bathrooms, windows, walls, and furniture. His thoroughness and reliability have made him a valued team member. One of the initial challenges Xavion faced was his reaction to constructive

A Success Story of Determination and Independence

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The Choice Group team takes pride in empowering individuals to develop skills and achieve their employment goals. Jenn DePuy from our Hampton Roads team shares that pride as she recounts the story of Lewis Turner, whose path through Skills Training and Supported Employment demonstrates the success and importance of the programs we offer. Lewis Turner began working with The Choice Group in October 2023, when Jenn and Lewis discovered that Texas Roadhouse may be the ideal place for him to work. Despite facing challenges such as navigating paratransit, adapting tasks, and orienting himself to a new environment, Lewis persevered with determination. Now, months into his employment, Lewis has made significant strides. Lewis's motivation and independence have been pivotal in his success. He possesses excellent compensatory skills, which help him adapt and thrive in his role. Since starting his position at Texas Roadhouse, Lewis has set up robust natural supports for himself and has becom

Daylin Wilkins: The Compassion Quick-Thinker

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At The Choice Group, we take pride in supporting our clients in finding purposeful employment, enabling them to lead full and enriching lives. One such story comes from Billy Kraus, who has been working with Daylin Wilkins in the Hampton Roads area. Known for his caring nature, Daylin exemplified this quality in May when, while completing tasks on a worksite, he noticed a woman struggling to help an injured bird near the water. Without hesitation, he approached her and used his work vest to safely wrap the bird and assist in its rescue. This act of kindness did not go unnoticed. Military personnel arrived shortly after to continue caring for the bird and commended Daylin for his assistance. The military site manager even reached out to Daylin's manager to express gratitude for his compassionate actions. Daylin Wilkins teamed up with The Choice Group in January 2021. Through a series of situational assessments and job development sessions, Billy and Daylin worked together to find th

A Leader in Landscaping

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At The Choice Group, we work tirelessly to help clients find employment that enhances their lives. Billy Kraus from our Hampton Roads team shares a story about Nicholas Cunningham, whose experience demonstrates the power of sustained employment. Nicholas Cunningham began working with Billy in April 2021. To identify the best job opportunities, Nicholas helped pull weeds at a job site as part of a situational assessment. Nicholas enjoyed the task so much that he applied for a position with the landscaping company , after a little encouragement from the employer. He has now been employed there for three years. Since starting his position, Nicholas has achieved significant milestones. He has been promoted to Crew Lead, a role in which he drives, supervises, and trains his crew at each job site. His job tasks include various landscaping duties, and his leadership skills have afforded him the opportunity to mentor new employees and build strong connections with his managers and coworkers.

Empowering Success: Richard's Journey to Employment

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Dedication, perseverance, and a supportive community are at the heart of every success story. For Richard Corliss, his journey towards meaningful employment has been nothing short of remarkable, thanks to the unwavering support of Rita Dee, his dedicated counselor at The Choice Group. Corliss, a valued member of our program, found employment in the Child Nutrition Services Department of the local school system six years ago. Since 2018, Rita Dee has been by his side, guiding him through each step of his employment journey. One of the first decisions Rita and Richard made together was pinpointing the ideal job for him. Despite having numerous options available, Richard was keenly interested in working in an elementary school cafeteria. Leveraging Richard's strengths, including his remarkable stamina and passion for food service, Rita helped him secure a position that aligned perfectly with his skills and interests. However, like any journey, Richard's path to success wasn't