28 The Courier sun • business • june 4, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Independence – Mankad’s Story QCP’s WorkSource promotes independence by offering supported employment opportunities for individuals at local department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and offices—matching staffing needs with the individual’s abilities and interests. Applicants receive on-the-job training to learn work and behavior skills, and to interact directly with non-disabled co-workers. Job Coaches go onsite regularly to ensue that the needs of the employee, as well as the employer, are being met. Mankad Lalji, 32 years old, first came to WorkSource in 2013 as a transfer from QCP’s Day Program. Although he uses a wheelchair, Mankad was determined to help provide for his girlfriend and their young child. His Senior Job Coach at WorkSource, LaTasha Watson, secured him a position at a local Olive Garden restaurant, where he was a “utensil roller,” placing silverware in napkins for the customer’s table setting. With the arrival of Mankad’s second child, and his hours being cut at the Olive Garden, Mankad insisted on finding a second job to provide for his growing family. LaTasha found him work at a local Applebee’s restaurant, but noticed a decrease in Mankad’s utensil rolling pace. “Mankad didn’t have enough room in the kitchen to properly do his job,” says LaTasha. “So I arranged to have a separate table made at the proper height and now he has regained his cutlery rolling speed. He is also starting to assist in food preparation. I’m very proud of the progress Mankad has made.” Between his two restaurant jobs, Mankad works an average of 24-28 hours a week and makes his own way to work, either by a local bus or Access-a-Ride. Achievement – Ricky’s Story Ricky is a happy and playful four-year-old boy with Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus and a spinal malformation. He has been attending our special education preschool, APPLE, since September of 2013. He has many sensory and motor challenges secondary to his congenital spinal cord disease. When Ricky came to APPLE Preschool in 2013, as a two year old, he could not walk, and used a wheelchair. Over the next year and a half, he started learning to walk and is now a successful ambulator. In physical therapy Ricky is always eager to try new activities. He chooses to use the stairs when transitioning from therapy to his classroom. Ricky has been working on building up his stamina and can now walk on the junior treadmill for several minutes. His newest accomplishment is going up and down the climbing wall in the therapy room. While Ricky still needs assistance with the placement of his feet, he is full of smiles while he meets this challenge. At APPLE, Ricky also receives occupational therapy and has been showing steady improvement. His arms are becoming stronger and he is now able to catch and throw a beach ball, with improving balance, and is showing better coordination in his hands, allowing him to begin to write letters. Ricky’s physical and occupational therapists at the school are thrilled with the progress they have seen; Ricky has even begun learning to jump on a small trampoline with a handlebar! Ricky’s speech pathologist reports that Ricky has gone from speaking only a few words, in Spanish, to now being bilingual. He is able to speak in full sentences to carry on conversations and express his needs. In fact, in his classroom, he has become a real “chatterbox.” He has been a complete joy to work with. In the APPLE classroom, Ricky shows great determination and a drive to accomplish new tasks. He has mastered many of his preschool goals and continues to surprise all with his emerging skills. He is very popular with the other children, and has a wonderful disposition. His teacher feels he is one of the sweetest and most cooperative students she’s ever taught, in her thirty-seven years as a teacher at Queens Centers for Progress. All those who have worked with Ricky are so pleased that he will be going to a public school in September. His hard work and perseverance, coupled with the efforts of QCP’s amazing staff, have enabled Ricky to soar to new and unexpected heights! (continued from cover) Queens Centers for Progress Services & Programs CHILDREN’S SERVICES • Preschool (ages 3-5) • Apple Tree Nursery School • Universal Pre-K (age 4) • School Age (ages 5-21) • Early Childhood Direction Center (birth to age 5) ADULT DAY & RESIDENTIAL • Day Habilitation • Senior Services • Residential Services • CareerPrep • WorkSource o Pre-Vocational o Supported Employment SUPPORT SERVICES • Service Coordinators • Article 16 Clinic • Family Support o Reimbursement o Home Equipment • Community Habilitation • Friday Night Social Ricky (continued on page 30) 65th Anniversary 1950 - 2015 Noah
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