Preview of our 2025 Fall Newsletter
AbilityOne Spotlight
From RISE to Picatinny Arsenal: Ian Finds His Niche at Work
When trying to find your place in the workforce, having some extra support can really make a difference. For individuals with disabilities who are leaving high school and wondering what to do next, Employment Horizons’ RISE (Readiness for Individual Success in Employment) program helps them identify the path that best aligns with their skills and […]
Achieving Goals and Building a Bright Future on Employment Horizons’ AbilityOne Contract
For Ian, working on Employment Horizons’ AbilityOne contract for the past three years signifies the achievement of an important goal, one that is propelling him toward an exciting future. It all began after high school, when Ian set goals for his vision of a meaningful career. The first stop? Employment Horizons. Ian participated in Employment […]
Mary’s Story: Personal and Professional Growth on Employment Horizons’ AbilityOne Contract
When Mary started working on Employment Horizons’ AbilityOne contract over 24 years ago, she was ready to build a meaningful career after working several retail jobs. After learning the ropes in her new janitorial position, comprehensive ongoing on-the-job training provided Mary a broad base of knowledge, which encouraged her to take on more responsibility as […]
Building a Career with Dedication and Humor at Employment Horizons
When Jimmy joined Employment Horizons’ AbilityOne team at Picatinny Arsenal over sixteen years ago, he was ready to work hard and learn. Over time, he’s become one of the team’s most experienced members, taking on leadership roles, supporting coworkers, and training new employees. “My responsibilities have grown over the years because i’ve gained more knowledge– […]
The William M. Usdane Award: A Tribute to a Leader’s Empathy, Guidance, and Positive Impact
When one of our team members was honored with the William M. Usdane Award at SourceAmerica’s Xforce Conference, no one was more excited than his coworkers—those he works alongside and trains on our AbilityOne contract at Picatinny Arsenal—because they know just how deserving their colleague is of this recognition. While we’re keeping his name private to respect his preference, the impact of our award-winning Lead Janitor speaks for itself. Known around Employment Horizons for his creative teaching methods and tools, he has been a mentor to dozens.
After joining Employment Horizons’ janitorial team in 2015, his work ethic and attention to detail led to a promotion in 2021 to Lead Janitor, a position in which he trains individuals with disabilities with a high level of dedication and care—he truly wants to see his trainees succeed. To this end, he adjusts his training methods to meet his trainees where they are and uses innovation and creativity to make work more efficient and fun.
Whether creating new tools to make their jobs easier, adjusting training techniques to suit different learning styles, or providing personalized guidance to a colleague in need of extra on-the-job support, his dedication to helping his trainees has had an indelible impact on their professional growth. By helping individuals with disabilities who are new to our workforce learn new skills, they also gain confidence; and by fostering an environment where trainees feel heard, understood, and respected, trainees gain a sense of personal satisfaction and belonging.
Being a part of the AbilityOne Program empowers employees to hone expertise in their field, develop leadership skills and be promoted so that they can impart their wisdom to a new generation—making it possible for people with barriers to employment enjoy their work and thrive at their jobs. Check out our carousel of quotes from his colleagues below to learn some of the reasons why our award-winning Lead Janitor’s colleagues are so excited for his recognition:
