Employer Testimonials

“AWS knows what I want and what I’m looking for in an employee.
They bring employees to me that work well in the positions we have available."

Amelia Jackson, Store Manager
Goodwill – Kokomo, IN

Amelia Jackson, store manager at Goodwill in Kokomo, Indiana, is looking for the best employees she can find. She keeps her store clean, meticulous, in fact. All of the clothes are sorted first by garment type, then by color and finally by size. It takes a team of hard-working, motivated employees to accomplish this organization and she’s found some of her best through AWS.

“AWS knows what I want and what I’m looking for in an employee,” she said. “They bring employees to me that work well in the positions we have available.” Amelia has been working with AWS for more than four years and has hired 13 individuals with disabilities.

“Just like any other business, I need employees who care about cleanliness, accuracy, punctuality and what is best for the company,” Amelia said. “When I work with AWS employment consultants, I know they are going to work hard to find someone that cares about all of those things and has a good work ethic.”

Ted also has a heart for helping people. That’s just one reason he works with AWS Employment Services to recruit employees for his company.
One such employee is Johnny.

Johnny Ruff has been working for Focus Cleaning for over 2 years, but before he got the job, Johnny was struggling to pay his bills and in danger of being evicted from his apartment. Ted took a chance on Johnny and it paid off in a big way for both men. Johnny loves his job and is paying his bills on time. And Ted has a solid employee who works incredibly hard. In fact, Johnny hasn’t missed a day of work since he started. Plus, the building that Johnny cleans recently went through an FDA inspection and got outstanding marks for cleanliness.

Because of continued success, Ted has hired close to a dozen AWS clients in the past several years.

“It was wonderful to have AWS’ help. It allowed me to maintain my schedule and keep meals on track for our residents.”

Scott Tomkinson
Director and Chef of Residential Dining Service

Chef Scott Tomkinson is responsible for feeding 100 people three times a day. Scott is the Director and Chef of Residential Dining Services at St. Anne Home and Retirement Community in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Feeding 100 people is a big responsibility, so Scott needs a very competent staff.

One of his employees, Kallan, a dining room aid, helps the waiters and waitresses and helps prep in the kitchen before meals. Although Chef Scott hired Kallan on his own, without assistance from AWS employment services, he realized that she would need additional training if she wanted to advance in her career. That’s when AWS job coach, Jacqueline, came in to help. “I knew that I didn’t have the necessary time to spend training Kallan and helping her to develop new skills,” said Scott. “Jacqueline came in and worked with her to fine tune existing skills as well as learn new skills that will help her in the future. It was really wonderful to have AWS’ help with that. It allowed me to maintain my personal schedule and keep meals on track for our residents.”

Kallan is the third employee that Scott has hired through AWS Employment Services. The other two individuals have advanced to other job opportunities in the community. “I’ve seen these individuals grow and develop and move on to bigger and better things,” Scott said. “I hope the same for Kallan someday.”

“Sometimes people that have to work a little harder to secure a job, appreciate it more.”

Linda Lampos,
Operations Manager,
SB Regional Museum of Art

Linda Lampos has served as the Operations Manager of the South Bend Regional Museum of Art for 18 years. Her job is to oversee all operations including the supervision of the gallery monitors, who protect and provide security for the museum. Two years ago, Linda took a chance on Josh. Even though he is in a wheelchair, she believed he would make a great gallery monitor. And she was right.

Linda worked with AWS to hire Josh and she said she couldn’t be happier. “I have worked with all kinds of people,” said Linda. “The most important qualities a gallery monitor must possess are attentiveness to their job and a friendly attitude. Josh possesses both of these qualities.”

Linda enjoyed working with AWS to secure Josh’s employment. It was helpful to have someone come in and help with the training. Josh’s job coach still drops in from time to time to see how he’s doing.

Linda said she didn’t have any hesitation about hiring Josh. “I have hired individuals with disabilities in the past,” she said. “Often times, they out perform their co-workers. Sometimes people that have to work a little harder to secure a job, appreciate it more. Josh is a fantastic employee. I appreciate him and he appreciates me.”