More Than a Job: A Story of Supported Employment, Friendship, and Purpose
When Anthony arrives at Partnr Haus on Friday, he knows what he needs to do.
He works through his routine, cleaning the office and taking pride in doing his job. Over the past six years, Anthony has become a familiar face at the company, where he works with the support of his Judson Center Job Coach, Alan.
“I feel proud to be here,” Anthony said. “I like being here.”
For Anthony, that pride is about more than having a job. It is about being part of a workplace, building relationships and knowing that his work matters.
For Becky and Kelli, the co-owners of Partnr Haus, Anthony has become much more than an employee.
“He’s a family member to us,” Becky said.
Their story began with a simple question: What could their business do to give back to the community?
An Opportunity to Give Back
Before Anthony joined the Partnr Haus team, Becky and Kelli had already developed a relationship with Judson Center through their community involvement. They had learned about the organization’s work and looked for opportunities to support it.
“We are an organization that feels you’ve got to give back,” Becky said.
When they needed help cleaning their office, they decided to see whether Judson Center could help.
“Instead of hiring a commercial company, why not reach out and see what the possibilities were?” Becky said.
At the time, they did not know much about all of the programs Judson Center offered. Becky and Kelli already had a relationship with Judson Center through their community involvement and giving. Through that relationship, they learned more about the range of services Judson provides. Peggy Kerr, Judson Center’s Director of Grants and Community Engagement, helped introduce them to those programs.
“And then she started to explain to me the different programs that you have at the Judson Center, and that was one of them.”
“We really didn’t know what was available to us,” Becky said. “And then she started to explain to me the different programs that you have at the Judson Center, and that was one of them.”
The decision opened the door to a Supported Employment partnership. Anthony became an employee at Partnr Haus, with Alan providing the job coaching and support he needed to succeed.
What began as a practical business need soon became something much more meaningful.
Passing It On
For Alan, being a Job Coach has a personal significance.
He has been with Judson Center for 36 years, including 11 years in the Vocational Services program. But long before he became a Job Coach, he had one himself.
“When I was really young, I was working for the City of Detroit, and I had a Job Coach,” Alan said. “Little did I know that I would become a Job Coach.”
Looking back, Alan sees a connection between the support he received and the work he does today.
“I think about the skills that my father had shared with me and taught me when I was young,” he said. “And now it’s being passed on and it’s continuing to live on.”
That sense of passing knowledge and encouragement from one person to another is at the heart of how Alan approaches employment services for people with disabilities.
For him, the most rewarding moments come when someone he supports accomplishes something they once struggled with.
“When you see that, you say, ‘Hey, great job. I knew you could do it all along,'” Alan said.
“And you’ll see the joy on their face when they have accomplished that. And they say, ‘Oh, man, I did it. I did it.'”
Watching Anthony Grow
That growth is something Becky and Kelli have seen firsthand.
“Anthony really does thrive when Alan is here,” Kelli said. “They’re buddies, you know. They’re giving each other high fives and fist pumps and stuff all the time.”
Alan developed a laminated checklist to help Anthony work through his responsibilities, but his role goes beyond helping Anthony remember what needs to be done. The relationship they have built has become an important part of Anthony’s success.
“What’s been really impressionable for Becky and I and the rest of our staff is how much Anthony has grown,” Kelli said.
Partnr Haus has watched Anthony become increasingly comfortable and confident in his role. He does not miss work, and the company makes a point of recognizing his contributions.
Every few months, Becky and Kelli meet with Anthony to talk about the work he has been doing and how important he is to the company. They also give him a raise.
“He always goes to Alan,” Becky said.
“And then he hugs him,” Kelli added. “I mean, it’s a big deal for him.”
Finding a Place to Belong
Perhaps one of the clearest signs of how much Anthony values his workplace came when he began wearing a Partnr Haus shirt.
“I started crying today when I saw his shirt on,” Becky said. “His Partnr Haus shirt.”
Anthony takes pride in being part of the company. His coworkers see it, too.
“I think he takes a lot of pride,” Kelli said.
“He absolutely does,” Becky replied. “And he doesn’t miss work. I mean, he’s here.”
Anthony’s connection to Alan is equally clear. When asked about his Job Coach, he offers a simple answer:
“Alan’s my boy.”
Then he adds, “He’s a cool guy.”
For Partnr Haus, that relationship has become part of the workplace itself.
“He’s the highlight of our week,” Kelli said.
The feeling is mutual. Anthony has found a place where he can contribute, develop his skills and be recognized for his work.
Creating More Opportunities
The partnership between Judson Center and Partnr Haus extends beyond Anthony’s employment. The company has also donated furniture, collected diapers and looked for other ways to support Judson Center’s work.
For Becky, seeing the needs firsthand strengthened that commitment.
“I went and delivered diapers,” she said. “And I saw the needs.”
Kelli remembers what happened next.
“She came back and said, ‘We’ve got to help.'”
“That’s it,” Becky said. “We got to see what we can do.”
Their experience has also encouraged them to tell other businesses about Judson Center’s Supported Employment program.
“We’ve been recommending the Judson Center to our clients,” Kelli said, particularly businesses “that are looking for some help around the office.”
Their partnership demonstrates what can happen when employers are willing to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. A business gains a committed employee, while an individual gains the chance to develop skills, earn a paycheck and become part of a workplace community.
For Judson Center, employer partnerships are an important part of creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce. Through Vocational Services, Supported Employment and job coaching, individuals can receive support tailored to their skills, interests and employment goals.
For Alan, it is another chapter in a story that began when someone once supported him.
“It just goes around in a complete circle,” he said.
For Anthony, that circle has led to a job he is proud of, coworkers who value him and a Job Coach who believes in him.
And for Partnr Haus, it has created a relationship they hope other businesses will experience for themselves.
Because meaningful employment is more than a job.
It is an opportunity to grow, contribute and belong.