Thomas works at a local pizza restaurant, a position he secured with support from JCFS Chicago several years ago, but he recently expressed interest in finding a second job. So he turned to JCFS again, this time through our Customized Employment Program.

After completing the Discovery process—a 40-hour intensive intake designed to learn about a job seeker's skills, interests, and contributions—employment specialists gathered insights from family members, former job coaches, and others who knew Thomas well. They learned that he loves organizing, has a strong attention to detail, and enjoys working with the elderly.

With this information, our employment specialist and business services representative worked together to search for a position that aligned with Thomas’s unique strengths and preferences. After meeting with representatives from several senior living facilities, they created a customized role at one near his home. In this new position, Thomas would be responsible for organizing and managing deliveries. Additionally, he was paired with a staff member to provide natural on-the-job supports.

Thomas began his new role last year and things started off smoothly. With support from a JCFS job coach, he developed a work schedule and learned how to navigate the storage room and identify where items should be placed. However, it became apparent that his coworker seemed uncomfortable working with him. She had never worked alongside someone with a disability before and was hesitant to let Thomas complete tasks independently, out of concern that he might make a mistake or misunderstand instructions.

Once his job coach became aware of his coworker’s concerns, she stepped in to provide guidance and reassurance. She modeled inclusive behaviors and suggested simple prompts, such as asking Thomas to unpack boxes and locate the correct storage areas without assistance. The job coach also created a color-coded cheat sheet to help Thomas independently reference where items belonged.

She explained to the coworker that having a disability doesn’t mean someone can't perform a job well, it just means they may need additional supports to succeed. In the following weeks, the coworker began to feel more confident in Thomas’ abilities and gradually allowed him to work more independently.

Now, more than six months into his new role, Thomas is thriving. He and his coworker have developed a natural rhythm, and job coaching is no longer needed. Thomas continues to excel in his position, and his success is a powerful example of how the right support and inclusive workplace culture can make all the difference.