By: Billy Kraus, Employment Counselor Service Area: Virtual PEERS courses throughout Virginia When I first began working with Dexter in December 2024, he was a bright, kind, and creative young man with a goal that so many of our students share. He wanted meaningful work, real independence, and a chance to contribute in a workplace where he could thrive. What he needed most was support building his confidence and strengthening his communication skills so he could feel prepared stepping into competitive employment. Through several months of Pre-Employment Transition Services and Situational Assessments, we were able to better understand Dexter’s strengths, interests, and needs. From there, he participated in our PEERS Social Skills course. This turned out to be a truly pivotal experience for him. During the program, Dexter practiced social awareness, communication strategies, and real world interaction skills. Over time, I watched him gain confidence, find his voice, and begin to truly b...
Crystal and Steven MacArthur are the typical brother and sister: they enjoy watching football with their mom, attending their church, and spending time with their family, dog, and friends. Despite some sibling eye-rolling, they look out for each other. They also enjoy working. When looking for part-time positions, they wanted an employer where they could stay long-term. Crystal became a dishwasher for a staffing company at a Virginia university. She initially worked in the Annex, a smaller cafeteria off campus. She hand-washed dishes and eventually learned to use the automatic machine. Because Crystal has a visual impairment, Crystal’s co-workers always looked out for her, letting her know when the floor was wet or if there were crates that might get in her way. She became part of the team, discussing sports games and weekend plans while keeping up with the breakfast and lunch rush....
Meet Christopher! Full-time employee at Southern Stainless in Waynesboro, pilot (yes, PILOT!), and accomplished performing musician. In addition to flying, Chris has also designed his own airplanes. For a couple of years now Chris has been at Southern Stainless, a very successful fabrication and manufacturing company. They did not hesitate to hire Chris and have been incredibly supportive the entire time he has been there. Chris' vocational counselor, Davide, spoke to several associates there on a regular basis when Chris first started to check in and offer additional support. They always took the time to update Davide and express how pleased they were with having Chris there. They were professional, genuine, and always had remarkable phone etiquette. Chris’ main duty there is to clean the manufactured metal parts and finished pieces. This is essentially the last step before they are shipped off to their custo...
Jessica has been working in her position as a Coordinator at a state agency for more than a year and a half and is at the start of a career she hopes will make a significant impact on the world. The Choice Group has had the honor of working alongside of Jessica as she has pursued, achieved, and advanced her career. Jessica has said since the beginning that she was committed to working in a field where she could help other people. This year Jessica spoke at the Next Move’s Capable event as a keynote speaker and described the barriers she faced to complete high school, college and even graduate school. She admits readily that she needed accommodations, and has since advocated for others to complete their educational dreams. Throughout her education, she demonstrated determination and the tenacity to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. And Jessica didn’t stop there because she is putting her d...
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