By the Dirkse Team
Dean Jones
Dean Jones was born with Downs’ Syndrome. Like anyone else, he looked forward to bringing home his first pay check. It took a dedicated group of people to make that happen.
Senior Employment Specialist Glenn Bishop of Dirkse Counseling and Consulting worked with Dean to define the job he wanted. Glenn then approached Massage Envy, at that time a new local business in Cedar Hills, about the possibility of carving a job in the company. A job carve pulls appropriate tasks for a new hire from existing company positions, resulting in a more productive workplace.
Owner Jim DeWeese became receptive to the idea. He notes that personal experiences with family members experiencing disabilities was one of his motivating factors. He gave Dean a chance. This month, Dean will celebrate his 11th year working with Massage Envy.
Clinic Administrator Katy Carlson says, “I have had the pleasure of working with Dean for almost 11 years and he is a joy to work with! He has proven to be unbelievably reliable and hard working. All of the staff enjoys seeing him Tuesday and Friday morning. Dean is part of the Massage Envy family!”
Dirkse CC Job Coach, Robynne Petersen, says that Dean’s longevity has not reduced his enthusiasm for the job. “I like my job, I’m good at my job, good at cleaning.” On Tuesdays and Fridays he is responsible for the treatment rooms – vacuuming, dusting, and making sure they are ready for people to enjoy their massage. With a great sense of humor, he uses a chart called the “Dean’s List” to keep track of the rooms he has finished cleaning.
It took an employer with an open mind for Dirkse CC to successfully negotiate and develop Dean’s paid position. Once a week, Job Coach Robynne Petersen provides ongoing consulting and support for Dean and Massage Envy. Dean looks forward to receiving his paycheck – it means he continues to top the “Dean’s List”!
For more information about creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, please contact Cindy Bahl, at Dirkse Counseling and Consulting, Inc. 503-258-7715 or cindy@dirksecc.com
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