ORION'S SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER |
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He's found a path to lasting employment.
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Gio became familiar with mental health facilities at only 17 years old. So did his family. When Gio first experienced what his father, Mark, recalls as a “break”, it impacted the whole family. As a parent of a child who struggles with schizophrenia, paranoia, and dyslexia, it’s difficult to know what to do, or how to help. The first step was to find a treatment center that was right, and the family tried a few before experiencing success at Valley Cities.
Once Gio graduated high school and his mental health was stabilized, it was time to look to the future. At 21 years old, Gio had held a couple of short-term jobs but hadn’t found a path to lasting employment. He was referred to Orion by Valley Cities, and Mark accompanied him on a tour, saying afterward that the initial tour removed any concerns his son may have had about working in a manufacturing environment. Gio joined the Orion program and he and his father both communicated frequently with his vocational counselor (VC) at the beginning. Mark gradually decreased contact with the VC, helping Gio to advocate for himself.
Gio quickly recognized that he was among peers with similar experiences and he befriended other participants in the program. Mark says his son is shy when he first meets people but quickly warms up and has no trouble making friends. When Gio found changing work areas challenging, he contacted his VC to identify strategies to ease his transitions to new work areas. As he learned new technical skills, he shared his newfound knowledge with other participants, and began to believe in himself. His family noticed the significant changes in Gio as his confidence grew. He set objectives and began taking more responsibility for how to achieve them.
Like most young adults, Gio aspires to live independently, and someday he would like to own a Harley Davidson. He also recognizes that the way to achieve these objectives is to maintain a good job. Gio prefers to call his goals “objectives” because the term “goal” feels too concrete, as if not achieving them equates to failure. But when you have objectives, you can continue to make progress toward them for as long as it takes. His dad is going to do all he can to help Gio achieve his objectives. Mark said, “Orion was the brightest light in Gio’s life and the single most important contributor to his success since he left treatment.”
When Gio was ready to enter the workforce, he took full advantage of his support team and worked with his job developer and vocational counselor to determine job goals and a career path. Together, they identified an employer that would provide him with the high level of activity and variety he desired, along with a part time shift. After three months of employment, Gio has begun working full time and is looking forward to all that his very bright future holds. His dad attributes Orion’s program with providing the strategies Gio needed to manage obstacles, advocate for himself, and be confident in his strengths wherever his career leads.
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On August 24th, Orion hosted an Employer Appreciation event to celebrate our ongoing partnerships with local businesses and employers. We want to thank the partners and guests who joined us to learn more about our training programs which include Manufacturing, Clerical Customer Service, and Custodial training. Guests were able to meet potential employees, learn about our programs, and discover how Orion can help with their staffing needs.
A very special thank you to our sponsors, Alliance 2020, Alliant, Ball Chiropractic Center, Commencement Banks, and Parker Smith & Feek, whose support made this event possible. When you are seeking new business connections, please consider these wonderful community partners. If you would like to join these great supporters as a sponsor of our next event, please call Diane at extension 290.
Providing a scholarship is another great way to support participants through Orion's training programs and Giving Tuesday will be here before you know it. Please do consider providing a path to employment for community members who seek economic stability through work.
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Abdi, Orion past participant |
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Partnerships make all the difference! |
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What's the secret to Orion's success in connecting people to good jobs? YOU! Local businesses, community employers, the big guys and the little guys, manufacturers, and distributors. All of YOU make the difference. You provide employment opportunities, guided by a commitment to diversity, for program participants who are prepared and anxious to enter the workforce. Orion's Job Developers build partnerships with businesses like Skookum Aerospace, who bring this goal to fruition.
Skookum is a national employer and non-profit dedicated to "Creating Opportunities for People of All Abilities" through hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. In fact, at Skookum Aerospace, over half of their workforce experience a visible or invisible disability. They operate in thirteen states in the US and employ over 1300 people in industries that include Facilities Management, Logistics Support, and Aerospace Manufacturing. They turn to Orion when they need additional staff, and we collaborate with them to match the right employee to their available position.
Skookum Aerospace recently hired Abdi, one of Orion's participants in the Manufacturing Training Program and they shared what a great experience it has been for them. The number one thing they appreciate about Abdi is his great attitude. They said he is positive, upbeat, and very willing to learn. And how does Abdi feel about working at Skookum? He said, "I love it! The teamwork, they're respectful, it's great!" He is hoping to continue to grow and learn at Skookum. Abdi also said that the one thing he learned at Orion that has helped him most in his new job is "computer skills, logging in and out of jobs correctly." He's happy that he had the confidence to do this task accurately when he joined Skookum and enjoys working full time. Skookum said, "Abdi is an asset to the team. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and is a good role model to others by remaining focused on his work."
Skookum Aerospace is a perfect example of an employer who is motivated to build a true mutual partnership between our organizations. The accommodations Abdi required to achieve full-time employment included a slightly flexible start/end time due to public transportation, and a seated position where he can elevate his leg because of an injury he sustained. According to Skookum, they "like that Orion is open to looking at things outside the box" when seeking a job match. Sometimes finding the right job for the right person is just a matter of being creative and seeking solutions. As Skookum said, "We are good community partners, collaborating, and supporting our community members with challenges…we both have a sincere desire to help those having a hard time, to help themselves."
"It really makes a difference when a person becomes confident, proficient, and can then take on more challenges. It's about ABILITY, not disability." Orion appreciates partners like Skookum who want to collaborate and are willing to provide an opportunity for people to succeed in the workforce. Through person-centered vocational counseling and job development, we help our participants identify their aptitudes and believe the right job match is out there. Will it be with your company? Please call Tamie at 253-661-7805 x274 if you'd like to brainstorm the possibilities.
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Renee is a mentor in Orion's manufacturing training program. Mentors are responsible for teaching each participant the technical skills they need to become proficient in manufacturing skills, but mentors do more than that. The one-on-one training provided by Renee and mentors like her makes the Orion mission possible.
Renee’s grandmother was a schoolteacher, and as a young girl, Renee thought there would be nothing better than to spend every day in the classroom. “I loved school! I wanted to be with the kids, do arts and crafts and smell chalk dust all day!”
She never became a schoolteacher. As an adult, she went through some very dark times, and said “My response was to make some very dark choices.“
When she came to the program at Orion in 2003, she had a felony and was only six months clean and sober. Renee recounts her experience by saying “At Orion, I was able to learn how to work in an industry that was completely new to me.” After her training program was complete, a position became open at Orion and she was hired as staff in the Shipping and Receiving department. Renee spent the next seven years at Orion in a variety of roles. In 2014 she used her many skills at two other large aerospace companies and returned to Orion in 2021 as a mentor in the deburr department, where she leads by example every day.
“I no longer have a felony conviction on my record, and I have 19 years clean and sober. I get to mentor Program Participants who, just like me, came to the Program to explore new possibilities. The most rewarding thing that I find about my work as a mentor is that I get to be a teacher after all!”
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I get to mentor Program Participants who, just like me, came to the Program to explore new possibilities”
– RENEE // ORION MENTOR
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At our recent Employer Event, several program participants shared their stories with guests and local employers. If you were unable to join us that day, we want to introduce you to Kim and tell you a little bit about why she would be an asset to your team. Kim was diagnosed with cancer as a child and will tell you that she is “a little short in stature” because of it. But what she lacks in height she’s made up for in personality! Kim is outgoing, engaging, and curious. She enjoys working in a positive, upbeat, supportive team environment and seeks a position in manufacturing.
Kim began her career searching for a role in culinary arts after graduating from the Highline Community College Hospitality program. She came to manufacturing rather reluctantly, but through taking stock of her strengths, she discovered that manufacturing is where she thrives. She learns best by watching and following verbal instruction, and really seeks to master every task. Kim is interested in securing a full-time position within South King County, so if you’re looking for a dedicated team member with a great attitude to join your team, please give Tamie a call at 253-661-7805 ext. 274 or email tamie.clark@orionworks.org.
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Orion 2021 Annual Report
CREATING STABILITY
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Orion Riders support Children's Ride 27 |
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ORION STAFF SPONSOR AND PARTICIPATE IN CHILDREN'S RIDE |
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Orion staff, family and friends gathered outside Orion on August 27th to ride together to the charity ride at the Northwest Motorcycle Show in Enumclaw. They enjoyed music, food, and shows at this fundraising event that benefits uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Orion is proud to sponsor community events that are important to staff. The event raised over $132,000 to help families and children. |
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Orion's CFO, Jeff Black, was recently recognition by IndustryEra as one of their Top 10 Admired Leaders of 2022. The magazine is "Printed for and about the various progressive industry leaders, IndustryEra encourages readers to think extensively, lead with a mission, embrace change, and shape the fate of the business. The magazine also wants to display how the companies and individuals are revolutionizing the future and rediscovering the business." To read the full article, please click here.
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1590 A Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002
253.661.7805
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13008 Beverly Park Rd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
425.355.1253
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