She’s ‘lovin’ it’

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Clarissa Follrod

Having started just a few months ago, another remarkable individual has found success through the employment opportunities at Fayette Progressive Industries (FPI).

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.

Clarissa Follrod, employee at McDonald’s on South Elm Street in Washington Court House, has been working for the company for about three months. Already she has learned many skills that can be used, not only at McDonald’s, but at other companies in the future.

“I do lobby work, like sweeping and washing down tables,” Follrod said. “I also do dishes, have begun to learn how to make burritos, and also help with the early morning coffee crew. I really like my job and I would like to thank McDonald’s for giving me a chance to work here.”

Follrod explained how it was a seamless transition for her joining the McDonald’s team, including how she learned the skills. Thanks to her job coach, she had thorough training on the duties she must complete at McDonald’s.

“Clarissa is really awesome and she is very good with interacting with the customers,” Jennifer Blackwell, general manager at the McDonald’s on Elm Street, said. “She is always early and likes to talk to the coffee drinkers in the morning as she has her breakfast. She is a happy person and gets along with everyone. We are so glad to have her.”

Follrod said she hopes to continue to learn skills and is eager to move up in the company. She also said she might want to try something in the future, but for now she is happy with her job.

“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 ninth 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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