2. CDSA’S 2015 Excellence in Employment Award
ALBERTSONS
Vocational Visions has partnered with Albertson’s Grocery Stores for over 21 years. Albertson’s have been helpful in facilitating employment
opportunities for adult with disabilities at 6 stores from 6 different cities in Orange County, such as Irvine, Lake Forest, Ladera Ranch, Mission
Viejo, Dana Point & San Clemente. Currently, Vocational Visions has 10 Supported Employment participants.
Albertson’s continues to work closely with Vocational Visions for more ongoing job developmental services. Albertson’s grocery stores have
hired Supported Employment Individual Placement Participants from full time to part-time positions. Vocational Visions have also developed
two group jobsites.
Albertson’s management was committed to hire our Vocational Visions participants because of its competitive productivity and performance;
maintained long term stable employment and excellent work attendance that kept a low turnover rate. Most of our participants were awarded
mostly with loyalty and excellent customer service awards.
As the economy started to decline, participants’ hours and days were reduced. Layoffs were not considered as the answer to resolve the
situation. Albertsons management has gone out of their way to accommodate the special scheduling needs for our participants for long-term
employment.
Albertson’s are not merely providing entry-level employment opportunities to people with disabilities, but also giving them a chance for
advancement and store transfers.
We are grateful to Albertson’s for partnering with Vocational Visions to fulfill our mission “to provide the highest quality program
opportunities to serve vocational, economic, and social potential of persons with developmental and other disabilities and to promote the life
enriching potential of full community inclusion”.
3. CDSA’S 2014 Excellence in Employment Award
PAVILIONS
Pavilions has been the #1 employer facilitating employment opportunities for adults with developmental and other disabilities in Orange County. Vocational
Visions has partnered with 7 stores from 6 different cities, such as City of Mission Viejo; Rancho Santa Margarita; Newport Beach; Ladera Ranch; Laguna
Niguel; and San Juan Capistrano. Seventeen participants have been hired since September 2006 with the potential of future positions within the South Orange
County area.
As the economy started to decline, participant’s hours and days were reduced. Lay offs were not considered as the answer to resolve the situation.
Pavilions management has gone out of their way to accommodate the special scheduling needs for our participants. The managers have been committed to
hiring each participant for long-term employment.
Special consideration and job assignments have been given to participants with vision and hearing impairments, limited verbal skills and other challenges to
employment. A few of our participants hired were unable to bag groceries or unable to collect carts due to their functional limitations and/or medical concerns.
Instead of letting them go, the managers afforded them special accommodations to only collect carts or bag groceries.
Pavilions are not merely providing entry-level employment opportunities to people with disabilities, but also giving them a chance for advancement and store
transfers. Pavilions are also a strong advocate for our participants who are active with Special Olympics. Certain participants were recognized for their
participation in Special Olympics or during “People with Disability Awareness Month”. In addition, they also received awards for being employee of the month
for giving great customer service.
We are grateful to Pavilions for partnering with Vocational Visions to fulfill our mission “to provide the highest quality program opportunities to serve
vocational, economic, and social potential of persons with developmental and other disabilities and to promote the life enriching potential of full community
inclusion”.
4. CDSA’S 2013 Excellence in Employment Award
City of Mission Viejo
Vocational Visions have chosen the City of Mission Viejo for employer of the year. The city has shown a continuing commitment to support
Vocational Visions and its participants in ongoing employment in our community. The city has provided jobs that promote life enrichment and
the feeling of full inclusion in the city of Mission Viejo.
Our Supported Employment participants have been working for the city of Mission Viejo Parks since 1996. Few years after that we had
Individual Participants directly hired by City of Mission Library and one at the Recreation Center. In 2009, Vocational Visions have added
more participants to provide additional services at the Norman P. Murray Community Center.
Currently, Vocational Visions has a total of fifteen participants employed by the City of Mission Viejo, eleven of which are under contractual
agreement and four other individuals are paid by the city.
Approximately two months ago, The City Public Services Operations Manager contacted Vocational Visions to renew the contract agreement for
our services. In addition, he mentioned that park supervisors are very satisfied with our participants work performance. Every year we send
contract employment surveys to all of our employers and community partners inviting feedbacks and comments. The City of Mission Viejo
Library Manager responded with excellent remarks regarding the three employed by them.
Vocational Visions looks forward to many years of partnership with the city of Mission Viejo. We are always interested in developing future
opportunities for our participants.
5. CDSA’S Excellence in Employment Award
Montage Resort and Spa
Vocational Vision’s has had the privilege of partnering with the Montage Resort & Spa Laguna Beach since September
22, 2003. We started with a group of four. We now have two groups and two placed individually. Over the years the
Montage has offered opportunities to our participants to work in other departments including the spa, laundry and even
the HR department. Our groups work in the pastry kitchen and silverware room as Stewards. Their tasks include
washing dishes and essential culinary bakeware for the pastry chefs and polishing and sorting at least 40 different
silverware styles. The Montage created a position called Steward/Floater for one of our individuals to assist with the
setup of the swimming pool area and one of their restaurants.
Our participants are treated as part of their team. They have been described as “beloved members of the Montage
family” who “bring joy and inspiration” to the hotel and who “take pride in helping the kitchen run smoothly” Our group
employment coaches ensure the quality and production standards for their area. The Montage takes pride in
recognizing employees who have been nominated by fellow associates for their prestigious Montage Masters award.
Almost all of our participants have received this award. The award exemplifies employees for outstanding work
performance, attitude and exceptional contributions to the hotel. The ceremony includes an exclusive dinner, $100.00
cash and a framed certificate of appreciation which is put on permanent display in a corridor within the hotel for all to
see.
