When Shalom first came to us at DANI, he wasn’t sure what direction he wanted to take his career. He needed vocational guidance and mentorship. As soon as he arrived, we immediately began working with him to identify and build his unique skills and discuss his vision for his future.  Once we realized that he had an interest in food preparation, he joined our supported employment program. Shalom worked with us for two years, preparing vegetables and fruits in the kitchen. 

With the help of one of our expertly trained job coaches, Shalom blossomed. We eventually encouraged Shalom to pursue training to be a mashgiach, meaning he could supervise the kosher status of food. Becoming a mashgiach is not easy; you need to complete a course and pass an exam to qualify. Shalom’s tenacity and perseverance, combined with some help from the DANI job coaches, ensured that he excelled in the course and became a mashgiach. 

In 2019, Shalom’s hard work, motivation and training was recognized, and he was offered a paid, full-time position at LeChaim Catering, where he’s worked for the past two years. Presently, he is a valued full-time employee who handles his job with confidence and determination. 

We at DANI are so proud of Shalom’s incredible achievements. It is hard for a person with a disability to find and sustain employment but through Shalom’s hard work and determination, he has managed to beat the odds.