Deontae is a young man on an incredible journey with our Employment Services program at Judson Center. Despite being nonverbal, Deontae has received unwavering support and participated in community-based assessments that have brought him closer to finding a fulfilling job and creating lasting connections in his community.
At Judson Center, we believe every adult, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to grow, connect, and contribute to their community. Our Vocational Services empower adults with disabilities to gain work experience, build skills, and unlock their potential.
Adults with Disabilities Can Gain Real-World Work Experience
Deontae’s journey began with a two-week community-based assessment at Woodward Corner Market, a local business in Royal Oak. This impactful experience, lasting 2–4 weeks with about 20 hours of work per week, gives participants a realistic setting to assess their skills and abilities. During his assessment, Deontae took on light cleaning tasks around the store—a hands-on opportunity that helped the team evaluate his readiness for competitive employment. Competitive employment means having a job where they can earn at least minimum wage and get the same benefits as others doing the same job. Judson Center’s Vocational Services help adults with disabilities secure competitive employment.
The goal of this Community-Based Assessment is to gauge a client’s interest and ability to work in different employment settings, and this arrangement allowed for Deontae to try a new job. Although Woodward Corner Market did not hire him for competitive employment, the role provided crucial insights into his interests and abilities that are helping our team find the right job for Deontae.
For Deontae and his family, the assessment was an essential step in understanding his strengths and potential areas for growth. Deontae’s mother, Sheryl, has fiercely advocated for him from day one. She says, “By being his advocate, I can help express his thoughts, desires, and needs to prospective employers so they can best understand him.” Sheryl’s dedication to Deontae’s independence is a powerful reminder of the importance of family support in creating opportunities for success.
Building Meaningful Workplace Relationships
One of the highlights of Deontae’s time at Woodward Corner Market was his bond with store manager Rhonda. Working closely with our summer program students, Rhonda saw firsthand how these young adults thrive in a supportive environment. “We’ve had an amazing experience with these young adults,” Rhonda shared. “They have so much potential. These relationships have personally impacted me. As a company, we want to support them.”
Judson Center is grateful to have incredible local businesses like Woodward Corner Market and their team on board to create inclusive opportunities for our clients.
For Sheryl, the opportunity to choose a local business for the assessment was invaluable. She explains, “It helped to be able to choose the location. Being connected to the community and building relationships made a huge difference. Working with local businesses can enhance our chance to connect with other community members.”
After the assessment period ended, Deontae was ecstatic when he returned to his worksite at Woodward Corner Market for a photo opportunity. Seeing his familiar team members and revisiting where he’d gained new skills was heartwarming for him and his family.
We encourage our community to shop local and support businesses like Woodward Corner Market that foster inclusive work environments for individuals with disabilities.
Vocational Services: Customized Support for Each Individual
Our Vocational Services program offers the community-based assessment as just one of many services. We treat each participant, like Deontae, as an individual with unique needs and strengths. With this in mind, our goal is not simply to find any job but to help participants discover fulfilling work that matches their skills, interests, and abilities.
As Deontae prepares for the next step, his support team will continue meeting regularly to explore competitive job opportunities that excite him and match his work experience.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Deontae
This process helps clients gain independence and confidence to thrive in the workplace. For Deontae, this is just the beginning. His progress in our Vocational Services program, supported by his family and community, has laid a strong foundation for his future. He’s well-prepared to enter the workforce with the relationships he’s built, the skills he’s learned, and the confidence he’s gained.
Sheryl summed it up: “This process helped gauge his abilities for work down the road. Together, we’re building a future where Deontae can live a fulfilled life.”
We’re grateful to be part of Deontae’s journey and look forward to seeing where it takes him. Stories like his inspire us to offer personalized vocational services that make a real difference for adults with disabilities.
Help Make a Difference in the Lives of Adults with Disabilities
At Judson Center, we help individuals like Deontae find their place in the workforce and the community. It’s not just about work—it’s about connection, independence, and growth.
Contact us today to learn more about Judson Center’s Vocational Services for adults with disabilities. Together, we can create more opportunities for individuals to find meaningful work and build lasting community relationships.