2005 Testimonials
“Out of the students that job shadowed on Oct. 19th I would have to say that they are all success stories. Most of our schools are rural schools and the students don’t get the opportunity to job showdown specific sites. Some of tour students traveled 100 miles just to shadow for 2 hours. The students were very grateful to have this opportunity and also the parents were grateful that their children got the opportunity to see a career of interest so that they have an idea of what the business is all about. Without DMD, a lot of our students would not get this opportunity.” LC Grafton, ND
“I found Kerrie (Bacon, KS State Coordinator)’s support very helpful. She made herself available for questions and gave me good suggestions. I am thankful for her help. I like to have all my ducks in a row but still be flexible. Her biggest help was to have a committee. It took the burden off me and let others help plan.” LC Kathi Ginter, Bourbon, KS
DMD in Sitka, AK brought together Jenae Eby and Professor Jamie Autrey, director of the Art Department at the University of Alaska Southeast campus. After spending one day together, sharing their mutual love of art, the two decided to continue the relationship. They now meet once a week and a campus-wide show of Jenae’s artwork is planned for the end of the Fall 2005 semester.
When Gary Souther, a manager at the Hot Springs Arkansas Red Lobster called our Local Coordinator in Arkadelphia, AR she was floored. “He asked if our students would like to participate by taking an in-depth look into their operations and enjoy a succulent meal at no cost…We hope to be about to let our student shadow Darden restaurants again in the future. Thanks Red Lobster!” Darden Restaurants provided food and mentoring experiences to at least 60 locations around the country.
“I had a wonderful experience” said one first time Mentee who shadowed someone in a non-profit organization. “It was so refreshing to work with someone who was open to finding creative ways for me to do jobs others would ordinarily think I couldn’t do! Now I’m planning to volunteer there- the experience made such a n impact on me” Maureen, Burlington, VT
“We had a great experience. Robert loves working with people. He was eager to learn. He took in quite a lot of information and asked a lot of questions. He was sorting mail and did a great job. Then he went on deliveries. He interacted with the nurses and patients. He would be a good employee in the mailroom. He would be good anywhere in this hospital. He would be an asset to this hospital. He would be great for this department. He related quite well, everyone likes him. I am sending him employment applications” Dave Kent, Crouse Hospital Mentor, Princeton, WV
“Terri, a manager at the Men’s Wearhouse was a mentor to Melvin Rosebud. Melvin wants to be a model and go into fashion. He learned to fit a man for a suit and put fashions together for display. When he was not busy he browsed through the suits, trying them on himself and admiring his reflection. Terri seemed to understand and bought a perfectly fitting suit for her mentee with her own money. “Miracles happen” said Melvin. – LC Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire, CA
“My students went to SunTrust Bank here in Atlanta. We have 20 high schools in the Atlanta public school system and 2 students from each high school participated in [DMD]… the students were matched up with mentors who talked about their jobs and let students shadow them. They were served breakfast and lunch. SunTrust also had various people make presentations to the students, teaching skills such as resume writing, interview techniques and bank bingo… The students had an opportunity to meet NASCAR racer Wayne Taylor who drives for SunTrust! They took pictures with him and he autographed a hat and poster for each students. They then were able to see inside of the bus that he travels in while going from event to event.”
“I liked how you talked about how you run your business. The jobs you took me to and showed me. I learned that a person can start a business and be successful. I also learned that a carpenter is very busy when on a job.” Cortland, NY Mentee Mitch Brady, 17 about Michael May Construction.
“My students had a wonderful time and got to try many new thing we would like to extend a huge thanks from us to you. October 19th is a day that each participant will remember and learn from. I am sure my students will carry the lessons they learned on mentoring day with them into the future! We can’t wait for next year!” Department of Special Education Sitka, AK
“I never thought that a person with a disability could work in my shop,” said a happy mentor in Logan, UT. “Now I know that it’s the person’s skills, not what he looks like, or what devices he uses to help him out- as long as he can find a way to do the job then, well, he’s qualified” Update- this mentor hired his mentee and two other mentees for Christmastime help in his shop. If they do well it might turn into full time, year-round work.
Anna Hay, our Wisconsin State Coordinator and Local Coordinator in Milwaukee, WI reported, “This was the 5th year that Independence First participated in Disability Mentoring Day. The program reinforces the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act: equality opportunity, full Participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.”