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by: Alison Kandrovy
Community Vocational Services is a service provider agency located in Honesdale, PA serving Wayne and Pike counties. We service individuals with mild to moderate disabilities who are seeking employment by providing unique experiences in our local community by assessing their work skills through job shadowing. We work with high school students and adults of all ages and we tailor each experience to that individual’s personal interests strengths, and needs. Job coaching is available to clientele upon reaching permanent employment as well with assistance in learning job tasks, soft skills, and how to communicate successfully with fellow co-workers.
You may think it is difficult to find businesses who will tailor their daily job tasks to this type of audience. It can be challenging but also rewarding as you will find at the Himalayan Institute. Community Vocational Services provided helpers who volunteered in the Food Services Department. After a few months of volunteer service, the Himalayan Institute agreed to hire them as part time employees. “In most cases these guys never had a job with a regular paycheck and we provided a safe environment for them to contribute. It was one of the most rewarding feelings when, after several years, the team is still employed,” said Brian Fulp, Retreat Center Director of the Himalayan Institute, “They don’t call in sick, they don’t miss because of weather and they are a joy to have on the team.” Fulp agrees with the common thought that it is difficult to find young people to work. “There are people who are willing to work for a while but they burn out,” says Fulp. “Working with Community Vocational Services has been helpful to the business from the standpoint that they want to work so badly and be part of something bigger than themselves. They don’t even miss a day of work.” One of these successful employees is Charlie Lagarenne. Lagarenne started off volunteering in the Food Services Department and he has now been employed at the Himalayan Institute for three successful years. “I like working here because it’s laid back and relaxing,” says Lagarenne, “The people I work with are fun and easy to talk to.” In addition to working with a supportive team, Lagarenne has also learned new skills on the job that he did not have before, including how to better communicate with staff members. “I’ve learned how to cut different types of food and learned about different utensils and why they’re important. I have also learned how communicate with the kitchen staff which is important. This job gives me something to look forward to every week.”
While at the Himalayan Institute, Lagarenne works closely with his job coach, Dot Beam. Beam has been a positive influence on Lagarenne and enjoys working with him. “I have had the pleasure of working with Charlie for the past two years,” says Beam, “He is the type of guy who enjoys being around his co-workers and making them smile.” Fulp also highly regards Langarenne’s work ethic as an asset to the team. “Charlie is in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday without fail. His attitude for life is inspiring and everyone he interacts with walks away with a smile.” The Himalayan Institute is one of many businesses in the area who have benefitted from Community Vocational Services and their tireless hard work to employ and create successful experiences.
We work to create and foster relationships with not only our clientele but to the businesses we work with to make it a success for everyone involved. The Himalayan Institute challenges other businesses to take advantage of the opportunities at Community Vocational Services. Those who do take part are never disappointed.
You may think it is difficult to find businesses who will tailor their daily job tasks to this type of audience. It can be challenging but also rewarding as you will find at the Himalayan Institute. Community Vocational Services provided helpers who volunteered in the Food Services Department. After a few months of volunteer service, the Himalayan Institute agreed to hire them as part time employees. “In most cases these guys never had a job with a regular paycheck and we provided a safe environment for them to contribute. It was one of the most rewarding feelings when, after several years, the team is still employed,” said Brian Fulp, Retreat Center Director of the Himalayan Institute, “They don’t call in sick, they don’t miss because of weather and they are a joy to have on the team.” Fulp agrees with the common thought that it is difficult to find young people to work. “There are people who are willing to work for a while but they burn out,” says Fulp. “Working with Community Vocational Services has been helpful to the business from the standpoint that they want to work so badly and be part of something bigger than themselves. They don’t even miss a day of work.” One of these successful employees is Charlie Lagarenne. Lagarenne started off volunteering in the Food Services Department and he has now been employed at the Himalayan Institute for three successful years. “I like working here because it’s laid back and relaxing,” says Lagarenne, “The people I work with are fun and easy to talk to.” In addition to working with a supportive team, Lagarenne has also learned new skills on the job that he did not have before, including how to better communicate with staff members. “I’ve learned how to cut different types of food and learned about different utensils and why they’re important. I have also learned how communicate with the kitchen staff which is important. This job gives me something to look forward to every week.”
While at the Himalayan Institute, Lagarenne works closely with his job coach, Dot Beam. Beam has been a positive influence on Lagarenne and enjoys working with him. “I have had the pleasure of working with Charlie for the past two years,” says Beam, “He is the type of guy who enjoys being around his co-workers and making them smile.” Fulp also highly regards Langarenne’s work ethic as an asset to the team. “Charlie is in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday without fail. His attitude for life is inspiring and everyone he interacts with walks away with a smile.” The Himalayan Institute is one of many businesses in the area who have benefitted from Community Vocational Services and their tireless hard work to employ and create successful experiences.
We work to create and foster relationships with not only our clientele but to the businesses we work with to make it a success for everyone involved. The Himalayan Institute challenges other businesses to take advantage of the opportunities at Community Vocational Services. Those who do take part are never disappointed.