Mary and Katessa, employees at Giant, LLC in Burtonsville, have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Monica and Eyram, two Outcomes consumers hired within the last year. 

Monica was enthusiastic to work at the Burtonsville Giant because of the close proximity to her home and since she already had experience working with Giant. She was thrilled to be hired!  Monica is 27 and has an intellectual disability and speech and language disorder.  Eyram is 29 and has an intellectual disability, speech and language disorder, and English is his second language.  Eyram had experience working as a porter, but was unemployed and anxious to get back to work.

Monica started with Giant in September 2011 as a Courtesy Clerk. She handles restocking items to shelves, bagging groceries and helping customers get their groceries to their car.  Monica works 5 days a week.  Eyram began three months ago, in July as a Porter, which involves keeping the store clean, making sure all areas of the store are well supplied, and assisting with bagging groceries. Eyram works 3 days a week and will increase to 5 days.

Mary, Customer Service Manager, and Katessa, Front End Manager, have been working with Reka Daroczi, TLC's Outcomes Employment Specialist to facilitate Monica and Eyram's transition. "We appreciate the opportunity to train and develop great employees," Mary stated.  "Eyram seems like an experienced old timer you would never know he has only been here for three months," Katessa added.

Giant staff has experienced first hand the benefits of hiring employees with disabilities.  To learn more about employment, options, contact Nick Heynen, DDA Team Coordinator, 301.424.5200, ext. 6940.

Congratulations to Melissa on the success she is finding in her new job as an office assistant with Lippman, Semsker & Salb, LLC. Upon graduating from high school in 2011, Melissa, who is on the autism spectrum, transitioned into the Outcomes Service and began working toward her goal of obtaining a paid administrative position. Melissa's dedication to the job search was evident from the start, as she eagerly took advantage of the programs at The Outcomes Service including participating in weekly communication groups led by Outcomes' Speech/Language Pathologist, attending job development workshops, and volunteering for six months in the children's ministry of a local church, where she had the opportunity to hone her professional skills. 

This fall, we were excited to receive a call from Lippman, Semsker & Salb, LLC about their interest in hiring an individual with a disability. The Lippman Semsker & Salb practice has not only been a fixture in the DC metropolitan area for 40 years, but also has an extensive history of community outreach and philanthropy. 

CLICK HERE to read more about Melissa's new job.