Michael is a current Havertown resident, who in the summer of 2010, was a high school student looking to make the transition to work. While still attending Haverford School District, Community Integrated Services (CIS) began the discovery process led by Michael and his job coach. As part of discovery Michael did an informational interview at Havertown Health and Fitness where they met the owner, Mark Rodney. After a few meetings, Michael was able to land an internship at the gym for the upcoming school year. During the internship, Michael was able to develop great relationships with Mark and the rest of the staff members. Everyone loved his cheerful personality and his wonderful sense of humor. Michael was able to perform several tasks such as vacuuming the floor, cleaning the fitness equipment, sweeping the outside area, and wiping the mirrors. Mark considered hiring Michael right away but could not because he had a full staff and limited budget. Even though Mark did not have any positions available, he met with us several times to brainstorm ways we could create a customized position for Michael. During one meeting, we came up with a creative idea while discussing the cost of the gym’s towel service. At the time, Havertown Health and Fitness paid a laundry service company to wash the towels. The laundry service company would only wash the standard white towels, not the higher quality towels with the Havertown Health and Fitness logo. The laundry service did not want the risk of possibly losing the quality towels and having to pay to get them replaced. During the meeting, Mark revealed that the gym would benefit if it were able to clean its own towels because they would have more flexibility and they could use the higher quality towels which the members preferred. Mark stated that if he were able to get a washing machine and a dryer, he would hire Michael to wash the towels instead of paying a company to do it. Over the next few months, we used a resource ownership model to provide Michael with a washing machine and dryer. The appliances were paid for by Michael’s parents and grant money provided by the PA Developmental Disabilities Council, Employment Reform Resource Project. Michael is responsible for washing, drying and folding all the towels in the gym as well as some of his old responsibilities such as cleaning the glass mirrors and the shelves, and sweeping outside. Initial job coaching supports are being funded by the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and follow along supports are funded by the Office of Intellectual Disabilities of Delaware County, PA. Through the use of resource ownership, and partnering with several funding sources, we were able to create a job for Michael and give Havertown Health and Fitness members a better product that will enhance there workout experience.
