In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to share another YAI employment success story.

 

“He blew us away,” said Barry Heller, Vice President of Marketing at Hercules Corporation, after interviewing Scott Aronson. “I do a lot of interviewing in this company for jobs and he was head and shoulders above some of the people who interview for customer service positions.”

Working in the Parts Department

Today, Scott, who receives support from YAI’s Long Island Services, is a key member of the parts department at Hercules, a leading provider of card-operated laundry equipment throughout the New York Tri-State area. The Hicksville, N.Y.-based company provides laundry room design, installation, management and service to apartment complexes, hospitals and college dorms. “I like it a lot here,” Scott said. “I get to move around, stay on my feet and keep busy.”

Scott replenishes stock in the parts department and assembles parts, which are delivered to depots for the company’s 50 technicians throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Having worked in customer service and at JFK Airport as a wheelchair agent for Delta airlines, Scott was looking for something different. “This is closer to home and a lot less stressful,” he says.

Partnership Begins with a Champion

Sometimes corporate partnerships are meant to be. Debra Gottesman joined Hercules in January and made it her mission to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She was introduced to YAI at her previous employer, which had hired two people from YAI’s Long Island Employment Services. “Their presence brought our whole office together,” Debra recalled.

Debra shared her idea and the Hercules’ executive team agreed, and in the summer created an internship for five people in YAI’s pre-vocational program. Two different groups come to the corporate headquarters twice a week and prepare packets with Smart Cards and other information for residents in the buildings where Hercules provides service.

“It’s my biggest accomplishment so far,” she said, adding that the experience is life-changing for the people YAI supports and their families. Debra is fortunate to have an ally in Barry, who not only embraced YAI’s mission of living, loving, working, and learning, but ran with the initiative.

Shortly afterward, Scott came in for his interview.

‘A Great Fit’

“This is not a made up job for Scott to do,” Barry said. “The manager of our parts department said ‘we have an opportunity for someone to do a job. Scott was so well spoken; he really impressed us. He’s a great fit, a really great fit.”

Scott couldn’t be happier. “YAI really came through,” he said. “YAI provides a great service. I got a job that I really enjoy!” He was open to exploring new opportunities. “It never hurts to give it a shot,” he said.

The paycheck is coming in handy. Scott enjoys spending time with with his girlfriend and other friends. He enjoyed the recent New York Comic Con and cos play (dressing as comic book characters). “It’s good to have a job here because this can be an expensive hobby,” Scott adds. “Now I have to be a little more responsible and stick to a budget.”

“Hercules is such a great partner,” said Bonnie Holtzman, Supervisor of YAI’s Long Island Employment Services. “The executives were committed before we walked in the door. We didn’t have to convince them to give the people we support a chance.”