Travis Jeter has worked at Durango Natural Foods since May 2009. He obtained his job through Community Connections Inc., a local organization that specializes in providing comprehensive services for people with developmental disabilities and integrating them into the community.
People with disabilities are all around us. They bag our groceries, greet us at the store, box our pastries, comfort our elders and so much more. Though some of our fellow Durangoans face difficulties communicating and fulfilling daily endeavors, to their friends and family they are cherished members of society. Many are integrated in a tight-knit community of accepting people and welcoming employers. Several local shops and even corporate chains are happily willing to hire and accommodate people with disabilities.
Jeter works three hours a day, two days a week, packaging, weighing and labeling dry goods. He is accompanied by his job coach, who is there to facilitate him if needed.
During the winter, he skis at Durango Mountain Resort with the Adaptive Sports Association. Durango Natural Foods has been very flexible with Jeter’s schedule, which has allowed him to participate in various activities, said Gram Wohlust, the day habilitation manager for Community Connections.
Community Connections has enabled various people with cognitive and developmental disabilities to find fulfilling jobs within the community.
Developmental disabilities are caused by conditions such as autism and Down syndrome, among others, which can affect a person’s ability to accomplish daily living tasks, ranging from bathing to balancing a checkbook, said Julie Dreyfuss, chief executive officer of the private nonprofit.
When it comes to matching a client with a job, the disability isn’t as important as personality, Dreyfuss said. Some clients may prefer a more task-oriented job while others may want to work with people. Sometimes, it’s a combination of the two, she said.
“Any hurdles resulting from disability are overcome with the help of Community Connections’ vocational staff,” she said.
Jeter has told those close to him that he enjoys his work environment and being part of the Durango Natural Foods team, Wohlust said. Like every working person, he enjoys generating income and spends his money on shoes, clothes and other things.
Willing employers
Several local companies provide jobs for Community Connections clients regardless of their difficulties.
Jack Cavanaugh was hired at Serious Delights bakery shop on South Camino del Rio through Community Connections. He has autism and faces difficulties when it comes to communicating but works well in his task-oriented job, said bakery manager Kate Naumann.
Naumann said Cavanaugh has grown a lot since he began working in June. He comes in every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon with his aide and begins his assigned duties, she said.
“We’ve seen him grow. He talks a lot more than he did before,” she said.
He does some of the bakery’s smaller jobs – like cleaning pans, stamping bags with the shop’s logo, putting together boxes – and enjoys his weekly tasks.
“He’s always smiling and is always excited when he’s here,” she said.
He also gets excited when given a new responsibility and catches on quickly, Naumann said.
“He’s definitely a benefit coming in,” she said. “Those little (tasks) really help us in the long run.”
However, not all special workers go through Community Connections. Others find their way into the workforce through school-to-work programs via high schools.
More responsibilities
Brian Shafer has worked at Sunshine Gardens, an assisted-living facility in Durango, for 10 years. He began there in 2003 while a junior at Durango High School. His first occupation was to call out the numbers for bingo. Throughout the years, Shafer was given more responsibilities.
As the activities assistant, he facilitates various programs for the residents. These activities include bingo, poker, birthday parties, happy hour and ice cream socials. He also sets the dining room tables for dinner. Shafer said he enjoys being around the residents of the assisted-living home most of all.
The activities director, Heather Downing, works closely with him in facilitating the various activities.
“He’s always smiling and remembers all the residents’ names,” she said.
He is fond of helping set up for birthday parties and watering the flowers during the summertime, Shafer said.
Shafer is involved in several extracurricular activities and enjoys having a busy day. One of his favorite things to do is watch the train pass by. He knows every engine number and said his favorite is No. 473. He rides the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad about 11 times a year, his mother said.
Mary Shafer, Brian’s mom, said her son always has had an interest in sports and is quite the athlete.
Brian Shafer plays basketball, golf and softball, and swims and skis. He’s a fixture at DHS boys and girls basketball games, Mary Shafer said. He also attends DHS volleyball, football, baseball and choir concerts.
Additionally, Brian Shafer is a fan of the theater and enjoys various types of music. He’s currently taking conga drum lessons at Stillwater Foundation, Mary Shafer said.
Brian Shafer, who has Down syndrome, may be involved in more activities and community clubs than most locals.
“He’s an all-around guy,” Mary Shafer said.
Wait list of 100
Community Connections has helped several other residents with the on-the-job skills.
Employers who hire workers with disabilities understand they sometimes need to facilitate special needs.
“Some employers need to accommodate having an additional support staff at the workplace if a Community Connections’ client needs assistance to do the job,” Dreyfuss said.
Several local companies that do hire Community Connections clients seem perfectly willing to comply in assisting their employees.
The organization serves about 250 kids, families and adults through various programs. Some of those programs include early intervention, family support, supported living services, 24/7 residential care and day programs for adults.
The program has a wait-list of about 100 people, and sometimes those people wait as long as 10 years to get into a program.
“Colorado is the 47th worst-funded state in America for developmental disability funding,” Dreyfuss said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
