Meet one of our newest job seekers; Amanda. She is interested in finding a job where she can learn new things and make a living for herself. Amanda would like to find work that entails working with animals, or stocking, cleaning, customer service,…actually she is interested in just about anything, where she can learn and grow and made to feel a part of the team.
This young woman feels that she has the skills to; stock shelves, wash dishes, clean office spaces or clean up after animals. Amanda says that [she] “just wants to work and I’ll do just about anything.”
Amanda loves animals, especially her dog Banshee. She has been volunteering at the 1st Avenue Animal Shelter for a little over a year now as part of her work study in the Community Living Program during the school year. She also willingly volunteered during the summer last year, just because she likes being around the animals so much.
Could you use someone like Amanda in your business or know of a place that would make a good first job for her? Can you think of a way to create a place in your work site that could accomodate Amanda and her abilities? Contact her job developer; Lorie Polk at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com
It’s a simple question that can be answered in any number of ways. And yet it isn’t asked nearly enough in regards to people living with a disability and employment options. People experiencing disabilities can do much more than any of us often imagine, that is, when given the encouragement and opportunity to stretch themselves and learn. And this shouldn’t be much of a surprise given that is all any of us needs to succeed.
When those experiencing disabilities can live up to their true potential and actively pursue the jobs of their dreams and abilities, everybody wins.
What can you do?
When people are willing to become mentors and show others how to become better versions of themselves and learn what they’re good at, everybody wins.
What can you do?
When people who own or manage businesses take a leap of faith and challenge themselves by thinking outside the box to see where they can utilize the skills and abilities of people with a barrier to employment, everybody wins.
What can you do?
And when any of us really looks at another human being and recognizes and allows for the similarities AND the differences, we all win.
What can you do?
Everyone wins, because everyone is included and made to feel valued, important, needed, useful, involved and a part of something bigger than themselves.
We know that it isn’t always easy to figure out how to switch gears and try on a new way of thinking, that’s where we at Pearl Buck Center Community Employment Services can assist and guide you along the way. You don’t have to do this all alone, we’d be more than happy to help figure out how best to implement and utilize a new employee, how to go about mentoring someone who is interested in your field of work or find a place of employment that fits your abilities.
Who I Am Poster; Vander Cherry
Check out The Campaign for Disability Employment Public Service Announcements asking this very same question…What Can YOU Do?
The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace. In business, the investment that drives innovation is talent. The knowledge, skills and abilities employees bring to work each day are by far the assets that yield the most output over the long term. Whether good economic times or bad, it’s the organizations that know how to identify and recognize talent that are most likely to succeed. Through its national public education effort, What Can YOU Do?,The Campaign for Disability Employment reinforces that people with disabilities want to work and that their talents and abilities positively impact businesses both financially and organizationally
If after watching you are compelled to really investigate What can You do? contact Pearl Buck Center Community Employment Services and together we can figure it out. [pbc.community.employment@gmail.com]
In May, we introduced you to Kang Eui Hong, who sought an opportunity to stock shelves. Today, we’re thrilled to post an update: in August, Kang Eui successfully landed a job with a local Dari Mart in Coburg, Oregon.
Kang Eui’s manager hired him to help keep Dari Mart’s coolers stocked during the busiest part of the day. In preparation, Pearl Buck’s employment consultant worked closely with Kang Eui and his manager to design Kang Eui’s shift, so that that both he and Dari Mart were set up for success. From there, it was up to Kang Eui–and from the very first shift, it was clear that Kang Eui planned to give this job his 100%.
Kang Eui approached stocking with consistent hard work, thoroughness, and attention to detail. He quickly mastered the basics of the task, and then began working with his Pearl Buck job support staff to improve his speed and efficiency. It soon became clear that Kang Eui was ready to take on some new responsibilities; within a few months, his manager added bagging ice to his daily routine.
Soon, Kang Eui will celebrate three months of successful employment. His manager reports that his work is excellent, and recently added five more hours per week to his schedule. We look forward to watching Kang Eui continue to grow, thrive, and turn this opportunity into a success story for everyone involved.
Want to congratulate Kang Eui? Give it up in the comments below!
Let me introduce you to Tiana. She is a very bubbly personable young lady who is interested in working in the retail industry. Tiana has been working at Goodwill, several years, tagging, hanging and stocking the merchandise. She has come to realize that she both enjoys and is good at being with people and offering assistance.
Tiana’s strength lies in her focused ability and enjoyment in organizing, she says that she loves to keep things neat and she “would make sure the product looks really good!” She is always smiling and says that she is always willing to help, whether it be the customers or her co-workers. Tiana would love to work in a place where she can gain “some cashiering experience and where the customers are happy with [her] service and want to return.”
Tiana sees herself as making a career in retail and would make a great dressing room attendant, merchandise replenisher, stocker, and even cashier (given some training), any of these positions she feels would give her more insight and experience into the world of the retail and service industries.
If you would like to put Tiana to work in your business, contact Lorie Polk at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com or call (541) 484.4666 ext 5106 to discuss the possibilities or set up an interview.
Meet Lonnie a very dependable & determined guy who knows what he wants. Lonnie comes from a family of truck drivers and his dream is to one day get a Commercial Driver’s License. He is currently seeking a part/time driving position. He would like to get some more experience driving a large truck but will settle for any position that puts him in the driver’s seat.
Lonnie has been driving since 1987; he has a current noncommercial driver’s license with a farm endorsement, a clean driving record and recently passed a USDOT physical exam.
He has a history of longevity with past and present employers. Currently employed at Goodwill Industries since 2011 as Warehouse Assistant sorting donated clothing items. Prior to that, he worked at a Northwest Auto Auction driving vehicles to and from dealerships for 9 years. Before that he was cleaning stalls and operating a Bobcat at Eugene Live Stock for 7 Years. He also has some experience driving large farm trucks and trailers.
Work is very important to Lonnie, he shows up on time and ready to work each day. He says, he is at his best when he is behind the wheel. If you or someone you know is looking for a part time driver who is eager to learn, you can contact his job developer; Linda Cox at 541-337-9498 or by email at linda.cox@pearlbuckcenter.com
Justin enjoys work. He wants to be busy. He is an avid bike rider and hiker. He also loves trains and antiques. He rides out to watch the trains daily and visits antique shops every chance he gets.
Justin has worked previously as a dishwasher for a cafe and in a commercial kitchen. He would now like to find entry level work in a new setting. He has experience scanning files and making copies. He would enjoy stocking shelves, warehouse work, or light custodial. His dream job would be in a train station or an antique shop.
Justin is a hard worker committed to doing things right. If you are looking for a reliable employee who is eager to work, Justin might be the person for you. Call or email Tamathy Howald at 541-501-2639 or tamathy.howald@pearlbuckcenter.com to set up an interview.
Barbie is a peppy woman who is eager to put her 4 years of dishwashing experience to use. Barbie worked at Mackinaw’s Restaurant in Washington prior to moving to Springfield. She washed dishes, did some light food prep and cleaned floors while working at Mackinaw’s. When asked what she liked about that job, Barbie responded with “It was easy, I loved doing it, it’s Fun! I like to get it done.”
Barbie says that she is very positive- “I always see the good side”, organized-“I keep all my things in their place”, and a hard worker- ” I just want the job done. I don’t mess around. I’ll do what needs to be done without attitude.”
Barbie has an updated Oregon food handlers’ card and is ready to get to work when she isn’t out hitting the pavement looking for work on her own or with her job developer, Barbie is volunteering at the United Methodist Church, serving food to the homeless.
If you feel that you have room for this outgoing, hardworking, go-getter on your team give Doris Steele a call at (541)484.4666 or email her; doris.steele@pearlbuckcenter.com
Maddie is seeking casual or part-time employment. Between 5-15 hours a week. She is very artistic, dabbling in painting, drawing and bead work. She would like to find work that entails being of service or working with animals where she can also utilize her artistic nature.
Ms. Meyer’s knowledge of some animals is impressive. She is very interested in working with dolphins, in the future.
Maddie is very organized and attentive to her work. She had work study experience in gardening, custodial, some light clerical, food service and animal care. She can see herself stocking shelves, sorting, doing light office work; some data entry, scanning, copying and collating, or working with animals in some way.
Currently Maddie is volunteering at Mecca where she is putting her organizing skills to good use by sorting, organizing and pricing recyclables as art supplies. In the future, Maddie will have the opportunity to create her own shop displays.
If you can see having Maddie as a part of your team give us a call!
Kirk is a quiet young man who lives with his family in the outskirts of Springfield. He is interested in finding part-time work in either the janitorial or production arena. His dream job would be working in housekeeping in a hotel.
Kirk has been working at Pearl Buck Center in the spice room packaging Red Ape products and has found that he really likes this type of work.
The main reason that Kirk is seeking work is to gain experience and earn some money, but mostly he wants to stay busy so as to not be bored. He feels that he is a hard worker, with the intent to do the best that he can to ensure that the job gets done. Kirk has enjoyed working alone in the past because it is less distracting, however, he has thrived working in the Pearl Buck Spice room with his co-workers, making friends and working hard to get the tasks completed.
If you feel that Kirk would fit in with your organization or know of a place that would benefit from having Kirk as an employee, please contact Doris Steele; doris.steele@pearlbuckcenter.com
We are so excited about our newest partnership with the South Hills Center located in the Tamarack Building and so are they! Here is a letter that was sent out to their community.
Hi Folks,
This week begins a partnership with Pearl Buck Center to provide janitorial staffing at South Hills Center [at the Tamarack Building].
Their mission:
“Pearl Buck Center offers people with disabilities and their families quality choices and supports to achieve their goals.”
We are happy to welcome Cody Grimes and staffing coach Linda Cox to the SHC Community.
Cody is originally from Chicago and moved to the Eugene-Springfield area about four years ago. He has been working at the Pearl Buck production facility for the last 1.5 years and also has experience working at a local auto-body shop. He is a Duck fan and a Dallas Cowboy fan. He’ll be working evenings after the last yoga class ends on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.
Linda will be offering coaching assistance for Cody while he works. She is a Job Developer at Pearl Buck Center working with a variety of different people in the program. She was born in Springfield and has lived here most of her life. Linda has a daughter and a 5 year old grandson. She’s a Duck fan, enjoys crafting and worked previously at H&R Block for about 10 years.
Thanks for being part of the team Cody & Linda! The work you do is important for keeping this facility available for all the many people we serve.
If you are interested in partnering up with Pearl Buck Center’s Employment Services, give us a call and let us know. We would welcome your interest and ideas. pbc.community.employment@gmail.com
The 2026 Benefit Breakfast, Opening Doors, Creating Opportunities, will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at the Ford Alumni Center on the University of Oregon campus, bringing together community and business leaders for an inspiring morning in support of Pearl Buck Center. This annual event celebrates the individuals and families we serve while raising critical funds for our Adult Community Services and Preschool/Family Services. Through powerful stories and meaningful connections, the breakfast highlights how, together, we can open doors, create opportunities, and build a more inclusive community for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Registration is free and open. Check the Events tab for more information, Sponsorship opportunities and Registration.
