A beneficial relationship

It takes a team to build a success story like Matt Gaier's.

Brian Cravens, manager of the Coeur d'Alene branch of Big R Stores, was open to giving Gaier the opportunity he needed to become a contributing member of the community again. Gaier hadn't worked for seven years due to disabilities that prevented him from engaging in the type of social interaction vital to holding a job.

Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation allocated funding for assessment and training; a training specialist from Tesh, Inc. coached Gaier as he learned the ropes, and Gaier has been working 25 hours a week since May. If you shopped at Big R lately, he may have been the courteous employee who helped you find work gloves or chicken feed.

Many of the disabled and disadvantaged population want and are able to work, but finding and keeping a job can be tough, industry sources say. Focused coaching and extended training periods can be the key for special-needs workers to enter the job market and earn money. Businesses can benefit by securing loyal, long-term employees at a reduced cost. Agencies like Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Tesh, Inc. provide support services so everyone wins.

With an unemployment rate of more than 75 percent among the disabled who want to work, it makes perfect sense for businesses to hire from this labor pool. Unlike many job-seekers, these workers have a history of reliability and are available for part-time positions that may be difficult for an employer to fill. Full-time employment is not the goal of most workers in this pool; with support services, they get the help they need to hold jobs they've worked hard to master.

At Idaho's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Gary Hamilton oversees eight VR counselors who help people with disabilities enter the job market. Once a potential worker's eligibility is established, VR authorizes and pays for assessments, job development, and direct training.

Nationally certified in community rehabilitation, Tesh, Inc. has contracted with the state of Idaho for 35 years, providing services to workers and businesses and serving about 400 clients each year.

"We work with individuals who are skilled and motivated to work," said Tesh CEO Russ Doumas. "If you want employees who are dedicated and genuinely appreciate the opportunity to go to work, you should call Tesh today."

Doumas currently serves as president of ACCSES-Idaho, the trade association of community rehabilitation providers.

Pam Harris runs Tesh's supported employment department. She and other job coaches are training specialists who provide direct support for workers as they learn how to perform essential duties for businesses. This could mean anything from teaching proper use of a T-shirt folding machine to cultivating the skills to succeed as a dishwasher at a five-star restaurant.

When the Big R Store opens at 7 a.m., Gaier pushes a broom around the premises, making mental notes on recently built end caps, product gaps that might need stocking, new merchandise or items relocated since he worked his last shift. Gaier started out with janitorial work in May after doing assessment and training at Big R in April, and he says pushing that broom around first thing every day not only gets the floor clean, but helps him deal with his tendency to loathe change and his desire to control his surroundings - both of which provide challenges in holding a job.

Gaier isolated himself in early 2003 after he lost his family in a tragic accident, withdrawing almost completely from any social interaction. After a year, he knew he couldn't go on like that and started planning ways to overcome his disabilities and learn to live a full and satisfying life again.

"I set small goals, like I had to get out of bed and get dressed," he said. "I made myself do something, even if it was just buying a cup of coffee or going to the library. I chose a task every day."

Gaier decided to overcome his disability, re-learn how to cope with people and busy atmospheres. Even though he still gets "antsy" with crowds or changes in routine, Gaier is coping.

According to Cravens, Gaier's boss, he does more than cope. As a testament to Gaier's determination to overcome his disability, Cravens says the most impressive quality he noticed about Gaier from the start was his work ethic.

"And he has great people skills; he does sales, carry-outs, janitorial ... I told Matt what I needed done and he developed his own routine that was so smooth and efficient, I made him write down everything he does so if he's not here I'll know what to ask someone else to do," Cravens said.

Gaier enjoys his work, which he says is the perfect job for him since he and his girlfriend - who was already an active bird rescuer when they met - give shelter to a variety of creatures in need of a home. His paycheck buys the groceries for chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, horses, exotic birds and other animals fortunate enough to land under Gaier's protective wing.

While Gaier is grateful for the help he received when he was disabled, he wanted to make the transition and become a contributing member of the community.

"It's time for me to grow up," he said. "I'm ready to start putting back into the system."

These upcoming holidays will be the first in seven years that Gaier has been employed and dealing with the public during the time of year when all the tragic events in his life took place. When Gaier's mother died a week before Christmas, everything changed for him emotionally and psychologically; he feels more secure about getting through the next weeks knowing he can access support from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Tesh.

Cravens, who believes appreciation is a key factor in successful working relationships, says developing people is his company's philosophy, and his willingness to give Gaier the opportunity to prove himself is a perfect example.

"Treating others with respect - how you want to be treated - is top priority," he said. "'Please' and 'thank you' go a long way. I have the same expectations for everybody, like being honest, trustworthy and respectful."

After spending 12 years in the farm business, Cravens knows what works. The retail farm store will continue to provide a venue for evaluations and trainings; Cravens will make sure it's a fun environment where everyone can count on being heard, as well as treated with respect. As for hiring disabled or disadvantaged workers, Cravens said: "I strive to find their strengths and place them where they can succeed. So many people never get that chance. It's just the right thing to do."

Cravens recently accepted Tesh's "Employer of the Year" award on behalf of Big R Stores during a fundraising event at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, the "Pathways to Independence Benefit Breakfast." Dozens of other area employers participate in programs designed to match capable workers with businesses who can benefit from hiring people in this unique labor pool.

Getting the word out is the first step toward creating more community success stories like Matt Gaier's. For more information, call Tesh at (208) 765-5105 or Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at (208) 769-1441.