SUCCESS STORIES

Alan

Alan is a prime example of what’s possible when you give someone a chance – and why ongoing support for our clients is core to DVJS.

From the moment we met him, Alan was a genuinely nice young man, well spoken, empathic and passionate that everyone in society gets a fair go – but his Asperger’s Syndrome made it so many people never saw beyond his barriers. Alan even believes that some of those people focused on what he couldn’t do, were the very same ones he’d come to for help.
Alan credits DVJS as the first job agency that actually felt like they cared.

Alan was pretty nervous about his job interview, but Chantel McCrae , HR Manager for Colonial First State, was just blown away by how genuinely authentic Alan is.

In his new role Alan feels inspired, he’s making the long trip to work every day in his nice vest and learning, growing and he has a smile on his face going to work.
How many of us can say that?

Phillipe

Stuart was looking for a little help keeping the amazing equipment at Dingley Village Adventure Golf in top condition, so we introduced Stuart to DVJS client Phillipe and together we’ve all hit an ace.
Stuart feels Phillipe has not only become a valuable asset to the team, but someone the entire team can count on no matter the task - even when Bertha the Water Wheel plays up.
So you can be sure staff like Phillipe will be working hard so your friends and family have a great time whenever you visit.

Michael

Michael graduated with an IT degree 3 years ago having a distinction average. He is a very intelligent, genuine young man. It has taken him up until recently to commence employment in his chosen career field. By co-incidence he also obtained his driver’s licence. A great achievement for someone never prepared to give up despite so many disappointments.
Michael regularly obtained job interviews but his biggest barrier was to convince prospective employers that he was the right person for the job. DVJS assisted Michael with interview preparation including mock interviews, developed his resume to a professional standard, drafted cover letters and had an open dialogue with his referees.
While it was deflating for Michael to receive so many “no’s” he was constantly reminded that he only needed one “YES”! He now feels “on top of the world and can “hold his head up high” in social situations. He is a perfect example of determination and not giving up. Well done!

Thierry

When Sharon Smart, the Manager at the Vermont South Community House saw her local community needed help, she decided to do something about it. Sharon had long supported employing people with barriers but in May 2015 she took that support to the next level by transforming one of the rooms at the Vermont South Community House into a social enterprise cafe known as The Cafe House.
The Cafe House has done wonders, providing much needed opportunities for people to enter hospitality while learning and growing in a supportive environment.

Thierry is a professional Chef with years of experience in Europe and someone who makes wonderful cakes and pastries. Thierry was working in commercial kitchens but the fast paced nature of this work was making it difficult for his health. Now at The Cafe House, Thierry has the opportunity to produce his divine cakes and savoury dishes at a pace that he can sustain and not impact his health. Thierry is one of many DVJS clients that have benefited from the support Sharon and the Vermont South Community House staff provide. Thank you from all of us at DVJS!

Steven

Steven is a young man of 24 who has had to endure some tough personal problems to get through to where he is right now. He currently lives with his sister and still deeply misses his mum whom he lost only a few short years ago. Steven was pretty close to his mum and she used to join him in many appointments before she got very ill. When Steven’s mum passed away, he was understandably distraught and decided to take a “leave of absence” from job search in order to grieve.

Steven has autism, but much more striking is how keen he is to work and the way natural friendly leads him to befriending the people he meets almost immediately. The young man is a thoughtful person whose outlook of work is that of pride. When he did secure that job at Wholesale Plants Direct as a nursery hand, he was proud and eager to tell his family that he finally secured work and can be of help to them!
He however postponed telling his family the good news for a week just to make sure it was real and it was ongoing. Getting to work and contribute in a way he was proud of was just too good to be true!

When his employer Nigel Read met Steven, he was astounded with the amount of enthusiasm he has for work. In fact Steven tried to do all the hours of his work trial without a break under a 30+ degree heat! Nigel stepped in to make sure Steven didn’t let his enthusiasm get in the way of his well-being, but seeing his work ethic in action there was no doubt in Nigel’s mind that they would hire Steven.

From simply watering the plants to basic weeding, Steven has picked up more than a few skills along the way. This includes potting plants and moving them from the sun to the shade or vice-versa. Steven wants to learn more and Nigel is very keen to teach him.

Ian

Ian has completed 3 months employment at Bread Street Bakery, Mont Albert assisting with food preparation and cleaning. This is a great reward for Ian’s persistence to enter open employment at 29 years of age. We also would like to acknowledge the commitment of his employer, David Winter to give not only Ian an opportunity to commence open employment but also David has employed a young man with Down Syndrome for 6 years.
Last year Ian completed a dual Certificate 11 in Hospitality and Food Processing for 6 months at the Vermont South Community Centre. Prior to his course he undertook voluntary work at the Salvation Army Café in Box Hill.
Ian is always reliable, punctual, willing to learn and he greets you with a cheerful smile! This start has been great for not only Ian but also his family who have provided great support to Ian.

Janelle

Janelle recently commenced 2 jobs! She works one day per week at Ability Works Kew and two half days in open employment at Boccaccio Cellars IGA Balwyn. This is a great achievement for Janelle! As a child she was involved in an accident that left her with an acquired brain injury. Her family were of the belief that she would never be able to work. Janelle had other ideas! Her personality and attention to detail in an unpaid work assessment at the store quickly convinced the staff that she should be offered on-going employment.
Janelle has now adjusted to working life and she has a good balance where she can still engage in her art classes one day per week.
The staff at Boccaccio have been extremely accommodating giving careful consideration to implement training and support for Janelle. Interesting to note that this store has been in business for over 30 years and this is the first time that a DES service has approached them to consider employing a person with a disability.
Janelle can now look forward to establishing her own work career and having a lot more social interaction with newly acquired friendships.

Noami J

Thank You from Naomi J to her Post Placement Consultant

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your ongoing support over the last 16 months while I was a client within DVJS. Looking back over the past 16 months, I remember the first day when I walked into DVJS in Dandenong in 2013, I had very little experience within the work industry & to now look and see how far I have come from then until now is a very big change.

You have given me the support that I needed to fulfil the requirements within my casual employment at Ragman's. When I was feeling unconfident you stood by me & gave me the confidence that Yes I can do it. You have spent endless hours with me over the past 16 months addressing all the concerns I had & taking me step by step through them so that they can be resolved.

Words cannot thank you enough for the guidance you have given me & the confidence you have enabled me to gain. I stand here today a different person because of the guidance & support you have given to me.

Once again I would like to take the opportunity to say Thank You.

Christopher B

Integrated Garden and Property Service Pty Ltd

Chris was 17 years old when he first joined DVJS two years ago from Emerson Special School, he is polite young man. Chris was seeking Gardening/ Landscaping employment and he was particularly keen to secure an apprenticeship.
 

DVJS Employment Solutions has helped Chris obtain a traineeship through DAAWS where he is currently completing his Certificate II in Horticulture Parks & Gardens. DVJS Employment Solutions also marketed on his behalf & was able to obtain work for him in his field of interest as a Trainer Gardener at Integrated Garden & Property Service Pty Ltd.

Chris has been working there for over a year, he is thoroughly enjoying it...

Well Done Chris!!!