Out
of the Frying Pan and into the Hire - How a customer
with a disability became an employee at Dinners Done
Right
Steve Harris is the owner of
Dinners Done Right in Tigard, Oregon. Dinners Done Right
is “cook and carry cuisine” – where customers come to
the store and assemble healthy main course dinners that
they cook at home. Dinners Done Right takes care of the
shopping, the prep, recipes, packaging and clean up.
Last fall, Steve developed a working relationship with
Steve Baer and the ISC Transition Program of the
Beaverton School Division – a relationship that led to a
job for one of the students - Briana Jones.
OBLN: How
did you first encounter Steve Baer and the program he
runs for the Beaverton School Division?
Steve
Harris: I had received some preliminary information
that explained their program. I was interested and
called them back to find out a little bit more about
what they were asking. It seemed like a good thing and
the right thing to do, so I told them “Sure, I’d be
willing to do that.” I extended a discounted price to
Steve’s class and they started to come in regularly with
some students to prepare and cook meals.
Also, as part of a work experience
program, Briana and another student started volunteering
here. They came in with an instructor and we would give
them a number of small jobs to do.
OBLN: I
understand that the work experience turned into a job
for Briana?
Steve Harris: Yes,
eventually, I was asked if I would be willing to hire
the students. I agreed to hire Briana. She comes to work
on both Tuesdays and Thursdays and works for two hours
each day.
OBLN: What
does her job entail?
Steve Harris: Briana does a
lot of different things for us. She regularly counts out
and marks freezer bags for us. She goes around to all
the prep tables, takes the lids off the containers,
loads them in the dishwasher, washes them, and puts them
away – along with other utensils and measuring cups.
Sometimes she helps us portion and bag the meat.
To have Briana doing these small
tasks is really great for us. She keeps busy doing the
things that have to get done, but that the rest of us
really don’t have time to do. Because Briana takes care
of those tasks, we can concentrate on the more complex
tasks that need to be done. It means a lot to us – to be
able to just turn around and have all those things
already done. Lids are off. Lids are clean. They are put
away - because Briana has taken care of that.
Because of her cognitive
disability, Briana has needed a lot of direction from us
but, more recently, she has started to take more
initiative for things that need to be done - rather than
waiting for our direction.
OBLN: Has
Briana fit in well with the other staff at Dinners Done
Right?
Steve
Harris: I have some outstanding people who work for
me – and they totally understand why it is important for
our company to do this. We all work together and Briana
is part of our team.
Every time she walks in the door,
Briana is just beaming and she gets excited every time
the other employees arrive. As she spots their cars pull
in to the lot, she always exclaims “Cheryl’s here!
Shana’s here!” It is great to see her smile around here.
OBLN: It
sounds that, in addition to her ability to do the job
you needed done, her personality fit in well with your
store?
Steve Harris: Oh yes – and
she also laughs at my jokes! It is a good deal.
OBLN: As a
small business owner, it sounds like hiring Briana has
really worked out well for you.
Steve Harris: As far as my
overall business is concerned, employing Briana is just
a small part of things, but for Briana, this job has
made a huge difference in her life. I am really grateful
to have the opportunity to do this.
Employing Briana has also brought
my business some unexpected and welcome exposure. We
recently received a business/education partnership award
from the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce and School
Division. I’ve been invited to be on a panel
presentation next month. It is all good exposure for my
business, but, more importantly, it will hopefully get
other businesses motivated to do something similar. It
is good for the students and it is also good for
business.
See: Website for
Dinners Done Right
On May 16, Steve Harris will be a panelist at the
Tapping Fresh
Talent Employer Forum
Steve
Baer: The first and main element of the program is
centered on work experience, job training and
transitioning into the world of work. We also work on
the use of public transportation; food and nutrition;
money management; health, exercise and recreation; and
hygiene and personal care.
My
job developer, Julie Steele, and I were both impressed
with how wonderful the place was and how wonderful the
staff members were! We soon approached the owner, Steve
Harris, with the idea of using the business as a work
experience site for our students. Steve was very willing
and Briana Jones was one of the students that expressed
an interest in doing that. Briana immediately “clicked”
with the other employees. Steve and his staff were
incredible at stepping in and supporting Briana.
Eventually she was doing the job as capably as anyone
would and she was hired as an employee. 