"Ryan was referred to Cedar Valley Services through Vocational Rehabilitation Services office in Austin in April of 2022. Ryan has had a journey with Cedar Valley Services completing work evaluations and job try outs with Cedar Valley Services trying to find the "perfect" job.
Ryan worked with the Designated Employment Specialist to find a job most appropriate to fit his skills and interest. After sending out applications and a few job interviews, Ryan found his most enjoyable job at South Grove Lodge Senior Living (formerly known as Prim Rose) as a part-time janitor. Ryan works from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. three days a week. He vacuums, dusts, sweeps floors, cleans windows, and cleans four restrooms throughout the entire building.
When Ryan first started the job, he had a job coach with him from Cedar Valley Services to support and encourage Ryan with learning his new job. The job coach attended first day of orientation with Ryan on 6/20/2022. The job coach was there for his first day of work on 7/13/2022 to help him learn how to perform his job responsibilities. Ryan had already brought a lot of experience and skills to his janitorial job, so the job coach mainly observed him, helped him get a work routine, offered suggestions to Ryan, and the job coach also talked with Ryan's coworkers to get a better idea of the work expectations.
Ryan really enjoys visiting with the residents who live there and also his coworkers. He has his own key to access rooms if a resident forgets their key to their apartment and the laundry room which makes Ryan feel important. Ryan is very proud that in October 2022 he was nominated Worker of the Month after only working there for three months. South Grove Lodge has been a fantastic employer for Ryan to work with and everyone there enjoys seeing Ryan come to work just as Ryan looks forward to going to work on his scheduled days. Ryan stated he likes working at South Grove Lodge and works with "good, wonderful people". Ryan said it is the good people there that keeps him at South grove Lodge and why he enjoys his work so much."
