PODCAST
Earlier this year, David joined the program after a long shelter-in-place season, ready to shift track and begin designing what the perfect job would look like for him. Since PCSEPP, funded by the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), is designed for individuals who seek a place in the workforce customized to their skills and personalities, it was the perfect place to begin that journey in a socially distanced, safe, and exciting way. He's currently working through the discovery process of PCSEPP, where he learns to use tools like iPads to learn digital skills and learns more about himself through meetings with employment professionals: more about his current skills, interests, and goals, and what he needs to learn to continue striving for them.
"I get dressed in nice clothes for my meetings," David says, "and it feels nice to work with other people on finding work and other things."
As David participates with Perspectives, he, like individuals from AccessPoint RI and the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, also have access to Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Able Opportunities, and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMASS Boston. These partners, along with dedicated employment professionals he works with, create a web of great resources that support individuals in making their own paths to a custom career. Currently, David works with Perspectives' Job Developer Casey Getchell, who supports him through that discovery process to find his likes, dislikes, his dreams, and what he can do to continue on the path to achieving them.
"'Make money and have fun'--that's my focus," David says with a smile. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting a job."DSP Ashley Reinhardt, David's PCSEPP point person, notes that David and Casey's meetings are all about figuring out what David is interested in. "They talk about what he likes to do, what kinds of jobs he'd want," she says, "and I'm there to help him make his appointments. Sometimes I'm with him for meetings, and I think it's going pretty well!"
Anyone who knows David knows that he's someone who loves music, dance, and most of all, great people to enjoy it with. That's why his end goal is to one day become a DJ for parties and gatherings, much like the Spring Fling the Knights of Columbus hosted in pre-pandemic times that he loved to attend with his friends. However, he and Casey have worked out some of the starting steps to get him on the path to his dream, and one of those steps is boosting his confidence in social settings. As David's also an avid fan of McDonald's, and someone who loves to keep spaces neat and tidy, he's setting his sights on a job in the community with the local food chain--a way to give back by being an essential worker, and a way to get him more comfortable with meeting all kinds of new people.
"'Make money and have fun'--that's my focus," David says with a smile. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and getting a job."
As David continues on his journey and prepares his plan for 2021, we're cheering him on all the way. The first step to knowing where one should apply their talents in the community is knowing what those talents are, and how they can mesh with one's interests and personality. If you or someone you know qualifies for this program, you can learn more by contacting the Perspectives Employment Services team; e-mail them at employmentservices@perspectivescorporation.com or call them at (401) 294-3990.