- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The Importance of Connections in Customized Employment https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/73647?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/73647?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/73647?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=The Importance of Connections in Customized Employment&body=ESG News from Keystone Human Services https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/73647?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Diversity & Inclusion](/CSR-News/diversity-inclusion)

 # The Importance of Connections in Customized Employment

 


 

 Aug 11, 2016 3:10 PM ET

  Campaign:  [Inclusive Employment](/news/campaign/inclusive-employment)  

[The Importance of Connections in Customized Employment](https://inclusiveemployment.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/the-importance-of-connections-in-customized-employment/)

*In November, Melissa Holt [shared her experiences finding a job](https://inclusiveemployment.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/when-it-comes-to-employment-perseverance-pays-off/) through customized employment. In this guest blog post, Kaori Kelly, the employment specialist Melissa worked with, shares her thoughts.*

If there was a theme of my work with Melissa to support her to find a job, it would be the importance of connections. When I started working with Melissa, she knew her strengths and she knew she wanted to work with computers. She had taken technology and computer classes at HACC, and she enjoys administrative work, especially with computers.

We visited many local offices and businesses, but none of them were the right fit for her. With customized employment, the person matches the job just the way they are, without needing to learn a new set of skills. Many of the offices and nonprofits either wanted a volunteer or were looking for someone with specialized skills.

Good connections are important, no matter who is looking for a job. Job development starts with social capital connections, so when Melissa didn’t find a job, we refocused on who we knew in the community. That’s when we hit the turning point.

Melissa and her family have been deeply involved with Special Olympics, so I met with the current program director, and through her, I met with the former program director, who was responsible for many of the connections Special Olympics has with community businesses. Through the former program director, I met the regional director of Keystone Apple, the company that operates Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar. As you can see, it really is all about a network of connections.

Keystone Apple’s regional director actually knew Melissa from Special Olympics when she volunteered at a veterans’ breakfast. I explained customized employment and he started brainstorming for both more community connections and possible positions with Applebee’s.

Although the administrative work at the restaurant is done by managers and supervisors, he came up with the idea of having Melissa start as a hostess, and he would then set aside some of his own administrative work for her to do. These ideas were great, but they brought up one of the challenges that employment specialists face. Businesses and people can be extremely supportive, so when they suggest something, you want to say, “Yes!” However, sometimes what they suggest is not a good fit for the person, and you really have to say, “Thank you, but no.”

The hostess position wasn’t really a good fit for Melissa, but she decided to try it anyway and she began a two-week internship. Ultimately, however, although the manager was willing to train her and Melissa really wanted to work there, it truly wasn’t the right fit, so she turned the job down.

(As a side note, during my discussions with Applebee’s, I realized there was another opportunity there that would be perfect for another person I was supporting. So even though our connections didn’t result in a job for Melissa, the other person did get hired.)

About two weeks later, I learned of an opportunity with DB Schenker that sounded like a good fit. They process technology products and Melissa would have to process the products, which involves multitasking and using a computer.

After taking a tour and talking with the business, she was hired. If you read [her blog post](https://inclusiveemployment.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/when-it-comes-to-employment-perseverance-pays-off/), you’ll see how much she likes her job. Because she’s a dedicated employee, when her company experienced cutbacks, she was transferred to a new position in a different department.

Melissa’s story shows how important relationships are to finding a job. Everyone has connections that can make a difference, even if they only lead to more connections.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/keystone-human-services-logo.gif)](/profiles/keystone-human-services)

 



 

### More from Keystone Human Services

###### [ABLE Accounts Allow People with Disabilities to Save Without Losing Benefits](/news/able-accounts-allow-people-disabilities-save-without-losing-benefits)

 Aug 8, 2017 11:55 AM ET

  



###### [Pennsylvania Treasurer Torsella Hosts Roundtable in Dauphin County to Discuss PA ABLE Program](/news/pennsylvania-treasurer-torsella-hosts-roundtable-dauphin-county-discuss-pa-able-program)

 Aug 7, 2017 12:45 PM ET

  



###### [Football and Service Dogs—It’s the Perfect Pairing](/news/football-and-service-dogs-its-perfect-pairing)

 Jul 24, 2017 11:35 AM ET

  



###### [Making Deinstitutionalization Real: Moving from the Idea Toward the Ideal](/news/making-deinstitutionalization-real-moving-idea-toward-ideal)

 Jun 12, 2017 3:40 PM ET

  



###### [Contact Your PA Senator to Support the Proposed Budget for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services](/news/contact-your-pa-senator-support-proposed-budget-intellectual-disability-and-autism-services)

 May 22, 2017 2:40 PM ET

  



###### [Join Susquehanna Service Dogs for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community](/news/join-susquehanna-service-dogs-highmark-walk-healthy-community)

 May 17, 2017 6:40 PM ET

  



###### [PA House of Representatives Passes Budget with Increased Disability Services Funding](/news/pa-house-representatives-passes-budget-increased-disability-services-funding)

 Apr 25, 2017 5:35 PM ET

  



###### [The Difference a Service Dog Makes](/news/difference-service-dog-makes)

 Apr 10, 2017 11:25 AM ET