Uniontown woman finds inclusion, joy with employment
While the children of Kristen’s Kid Kare take a nap, Ashley Anderson makes sure the kitchen area is spotless before afternoon snack time.
“Kids sneeze a lot and then they touch everything, so we want to keep it nice and clean for them,” the Uniontown woman said. “I cleaned the bathroom really well too. I know the rest of the staff loved it.”
For nearly a decade, Anderson has worked about five hours a week at the Dunbar day care center. The opportunity is made possible through The Arc of Fayette County, a nonprofit organization that provides programs intended to promote independence and foster community integration to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Kristen O’Nell of Connellsville, the owner of Kristen’s Kid Kare, said Anderson is hard working, a delight to her coworkers, and passionate about helping with the 27 enrolled children.
“She’s very good at what she does,” O’Nell said. “She does a really good job cleaning, especially the lunchroom, and in the afternoon she’s great with helping the kids especially if they are outside playing.”
Workers like Anderson are being recognized statewide during March, which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. She was able to find employment through a program at The Arc that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities integrate with the community.
Jenna Hicks, a supportive employment manager for The Arc, is in charge of helping clients find jobs that match their skill sets.
“We assess their skill levels by taking them out to the community and having them volunteer to be able to see what skills they are able to do, and then place them based on the employers that we work with,” said Hicks.
When an individual gets a job, an employee of The Arc will help with paperwork, and then monitor how things are going once they’ve started, Hicks said.
“We keep in communication with the employer if there’s any concerns about anything…We’re kind of the buffer between helping Ashley and maintaining employment,” she said.
Anderson’s coworkers Shay Johnson of Dunbar and Peggy Smith of Connellsivlle said they love working with “Miss Ashley,” describing her as a lovely and caring soul.
“I love Miss Ashley, we’re actually really close,” said Johnson. “She is fantastic at work, and she’s great when she interacts with the children.”
Smith echoed those sentiments
“She’s just so helpful and ready to help with whatever is needed, and she’s very sweet with the kids,” Smith said.
Anderson also expressed her love for her coworkers and the children and said she is proud of the work she does, keeping a tidy area so the children are both happy and healthy.
Anderson said she is glad to be working at the day care, mentioning that it felt good to have a sense of responsibilities.
“(Mrs. O’Nell) is proud of me,” Anderson said, while sharing one of her infectious smiles. “She’s proud of me.”