Finding the strengths in everyone

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Charles Cadamy

Fayette Progressive Industries (FPI) has been working toward the continued success of the individuals in its programs for years by looking at each of their strengths.

Through utilization of the Employment First initiative (EFI), an effort that helps developmentally disabled adults to find work, and the Bridges to Transition program, which teaches them applicable skills to join the workforce, many have found success. Whether to help them cultivate physical skills, such as mopping, folding or sorting, to social skills, such as learning to connect to customers or networking opportunities, FPI has worked for years to help raise the standard of living for disabled residents.

Charles Cadamy, employee at Stage Stores Distribution in Jeffersonville, has been with the company for about three years.

“When I first started out there I began by unloading tote trailers,” Cadamy said. “I did that for about two and a half years and then I transferred to shipping at Stage where I now load and unload trailers. After my first job I came to Fayette Progressive for a little while and they helped me, through the workshop, to get back out in the workforce. They helped me to find Stage and since they helped me learn some distribution center skills, it was a nice fit.”

Compared to his first job, Stage was much better for Cadamy. After learning valuable skills and seeing how well he worked in the field, FPI helped to connect Cadamy with Stage and the relationship has blossomed ever since.

“Charles is a great employee who loves a challenge and has been a valuable asset to the company,” Joyce Myers, human resources manager with Stage Stores, said. “He always shows us how appreciative he is and we can really feel it through his treatment of everyone here, even calling us all one big family to him. He is always punctual and is great at learning new skills for the job. He has really been developing into quite the awesome employee. It is a win-win for everyone.”

Cadamy has had help getting to this stage in his development. He said to others in his position that they should continue to work and keep pushing for bigger and better things. He also would like to thank Fayette Progressive, his parents and Fayette County for helping him throughout the process of getting him this job. He said he’s very happy that they took a chance on him when no one else would.

“We really want employers to realize these individuals all possess skills, determination and ethics that they are looking for,” Betty Reisinger, community service specialist at Fayette Progressive, said. “All they need is a bit of guidance and some practice, and they can make the best employees at any business.”

This story is the fifth in a series that showcases the success stories of individuals within the county with disabilities who have faced adversity and grown through the process to become more independent adults. For more information about the programs described here and other programs, contact Fayette Progressive Industries at (740) 335-7453.

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