Oct 12, 2021
Self-Employed With a Developmental Disability in Kamloops
Meet Dawn!
Dawn has been successfully self-employed with a developmental disability in Kamloops for over 20 years.
Throughout that time, SMART Options Supported Employment has helped her obtain various office- and house-cleaning jobs around the city. She’s an extremely hard worker and brightens the day of everyone she comes across!
Most recently, Dawn has been working as a self-employed house cleaner for Remi.
Remi found out about SMART Options supported recruitment services in Kamloops when she saw a flyer at the BC Community Living Services office. As someone who believes that the employment of differently-abled individuals should be encouraged, she thought this would be a wonderful hiring solution for her house cleaning needs.
In the end, she made the right decision! SMART Options was able to pair her with Dawn, and it’s been the perfect match.
“As I expected, Dawn is hardworking, loyal, honest, and always wants the customer to be happy,” said Remi. “She loves what she does and it shows. I am very happy with the quality of her work.”
While Remi did have some initial concerns about how invested her new employee would be in her work (a reasonable concern for any employer hiring any new employee), her worries were quickly put to rest. In fact, Remi said that Dawn is practically one of the family now, and plans to continue employing Dawn for as long as she wishes to continue working for her.
“I would encourage anyone to speak with SMART Options with their particular needs. If they have a person—trust them! You won’t regret it,” said Remi.
Remi’s parents were business owners in several different ventures. It’s from these experiences, and lessons from her parents, that Remi learned that the qualities that make a good employee cannot be demanded, but are innate in the individual—especially when they find work they like and are good at.
“She is so conscientious and honest, and she takes feedback very well. I am always impressed by her joy and how much she loves people and her job. How can you ask for more in a service-related employee?” shared Remi.
And it’s true that Dawn loves people and the work she does!
“When other people are happy, it makes me feel good,” said Dawn. “Having a job is awesome. People are happy that I do a good job, and it makes me happy to see how clean I make it and that people appreciate what I do.”
“I take a lot of pride in my work and I love the fact that it is clean and fresh and safer and keeps people healthier,” added Dawn. “I am very honoured, and it humbles me how much people appreciate me for my work.”
On top of that, the money that Dawn makes helps her save and be able to afford what she needs to live a happy life. She takes pride in being self-employed and has a great appreciation for the fact that she is able to earn fair pay for fair work.
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This on website called SMART Options Supported Employment Services in Kamloops go to the link here
