Cedar Valley Services, Inc.:
Competitive Employment
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James "Jake" graduated from Southland High School in 1994. After high school graduation, he served in the National Guard. He also worked as a welder for a local business. In March of 1996 he was in a motorcycle accident. He acquired a traumatic brain injury and also dealt with depression. After months of being in the hospital and rehabilitation, he returned to working in competitive employment which became a struggle.
From 2007 - 2009, he attended Riverland Community College. Jake obtained his certificate in Welding and a diploma in Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics. He had numerous welding jobs before and after he attended Riverland College. From 2013 - 2021, he worked as a janitor for an area business but was laid off due to the Covid pandemic. |
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Working in competitive employment became challenging for Jake due his brain injury; concerns with his memory, difficulty learning new tasks, organizing his thoughts, work stamina, verbally communicating with others were some of his challenges. Since he was laid off due to the pandemic, he sought help with employment through MN Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS).
In September 2021, Jake was referred from VRS to CVS. CVS was contracted to help Jake search for job opportunities, resume writing, interviewing skills, complete job applications, attend interviews, provide job coaching once a job is obtained and to continue with monthly bi-monthly follow-up and support once a competitive job was obtained. CVS assisted Jake with finding a job at a local retail store. Jake was there for 3 months and then left this job as he found a job more interesting to him and one in which he could use his skills as a machine operator. Jake loved his job, and he was employed with this job for 1.5 years until he was laid off. Jake continued to receive support through CVS and with CVS assistance was able to find another job that utilized his janitor skills. Jake was employed for 7 months with this business and unfortunately was laid off again due to circumstance beyond his control.
With the lay-off, Jake was continuing to receive support from CVS. Jake along with his Program Director, began searching for another job. Jake lives on his own, in his own apartment, with minimal supports from his family. He likes to work and needs income to help pay for his daily living expenses, but he also is only able to work part-time due to his work stamina challenges which can also affect his memory when working too long of a day. Jake and CVS finally found him a job in August 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams in the custodial department. They have been able to accommodate his part-time hours, and Jake has been able to return to this community in which he is very familiar with and with the people in the community.
The principal, staff, and students really enjoy having Jake at the school. The principal sent a message to the CVS Program Director regarding Jake. It read, "Jake joined our Sacred Heart Catholic School community prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Jake is a personable and dependable custodian within our school environment. Jake's attentiveness to what may appear as "unnoticed" need or concern is greatly appreciated. Jake demonstrates flexibility when his workload schedule needs to change. He is determined to do his best to support the students and staff at Sacred Heart." Jake says one of the favorite parts of his day is when the students give him "high fives." Jake enjoys his job and hopes he is able to continue to be employed there as the past couple few years have been tough with his job layoffs. He is ready for a consistent place of employment, and he hopes it will be Sacred Heart Catholic School. It gives Jake great self-confidence when he hears positive comments about his work, and he is also giving back to a community in which he once resided.
In September 2021, Jake was referred from VRS to CVS. CVS was contracted to help Jake search for job opportunities, resume writing, interviewing skills, complete job applications, attend interviews, provide job coaching once a job is obtained and to continue with monthly bi-monthly follow-up and support once a competitive job was obtained. CVS assisted Jake with finding a job at a local retail store. Jake was there for 3 months and then left this job as he found a job more interesting to him and one in which he could use his skills as a machine operator. Jake loved his job, and he was employed with this job for 1.5 years until he was laid off. Jake continued to receive support through CVS and with CVS assistance was able to find another job that utilized his janitor skills. Jake was employed for 7 months with this business and unfortunately was laid off again due to circumstance beyond his control.
With the lay-off, Jake was continuing to receive support from CVS. Jake along with his Program Director, began searching for another job. Jake lives on his own, in his own apartment, with minimal supports from his family. He likes to work and needs income to help pay for his daily living expenses, but he also is only able to work part-time due to his work stamina challenges which can also affect his memory when working too long of a day. Jake and CVS finally found him a job in August 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams in the custodial department. They have been able to accommodate his part-time hours, and Jake has been able to return to this community in which he is very familiar with and with the people in the community.
The principal, staff, and students really enjoy having Jake at the school. The principal sent a message to the CVS Program Director regarding Jake. It read, "Jake joined our Sacred Heart Catholic School community prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Jake is a personable and dependable custodian within our school environment. Jake's attentiveness to what may appear as "unnoticed" need or concern is greatly appreciated. Jake demonstrates flexibility when his workload schedule needs to change. He is determined to do his best to support the students and staff at Sacred Heart." Jake says one of the favorite parts of his day is when the students give him "high fives." Jake enjoys his job and hopes he is able to continue to be employed there as the past couple few years have been tough with his job layoffs. He is ready for a consistent place of employment, and he hopes it will be Sacred Heart Catholic School. It gives Jake great self-confidence when he hears positive comments about his work, and he is also giving back to a community in which he once resided.
- Cedar Valley Services, Inc.
