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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 preferences. For Ian, it helped him develop valuable work readiness skills that landed him a job on our #AbilityOne contract!

Ian had held jobs before starting the RISE program in September 2024, but hadn’t found the right fit yet; he felt the RISE program could help him determine a path forward toward long-term employment.

“Before RISE, I didn’t know how to interview; they taught me how to talk about my experience and my skills in a way that applies to the job,” Ian says. “They taught me how to be in a professional workplace and gave me skills that I use every day. They’re great instructors—they know what they’re doing!”

Jamie Osborn, Manager of Training and Education at Employment Horizons, credits Ian with approaching the RISE program with determination and maturity, which helped to ensure his success in the program—and beyond.

“Ian came to Employment Horizons extremely motivated to work and eager to receive support through the RISE Program,” says Jamie Osborn, Employment Horizons’ Manager of Training and Education. “He consistently demonstrated professionalism and genuine care for others and was an active participant in his services, allowing RISE staff to confidently secure a competitively integrated position at Picatinny Arsenal.”

After Ian’s graduation from the RISE program in November 2024, he was excited to start working at Picatinny Arsenal in the janitorial position that RISE staff helped him obtain. For the past year, he has been enjoying the camaraderie of his new workplace and the chance to build his skill set in a supportive environment.

“I work with the other Ian at Picatinny,” Ian says, referring to William Huber Achievement Award Winner Ian Lenahan (check out his story below!). “He’s great to work with—we just click, it’s almost like telepathic.”

Ian likes the balance of working alongside a team member while having ownership of his own set of tasks, explaining, “We work separately but together, and we split the tasks 50/50.”

Ian has also built strong relationships with other team members, such as Lead Worker Jimmy Mason, with whom he works regularly. He credits a shared sense of humor for strengthening their working relationship.

“Jimmy’s really easy to work with,” Ian says. “I laugh every day when I work with him.”

Bilingual Employment Support Specialist Viviana Cabrera, who helped Ian adjust to his new position, says that despite being on the job for only one year, Ian has already made consistent progress and is known as a dependable employee.

“Ian has successfully adjusted to full-time work, demonstrating improved time management and a consistent, positive attitude. He works well with his team, receives positive feedback from his supervisor, and communicates openly about his progress and goals,” Viviana says.

“I’ve had jobs before, but not like this,” Ian says. “I’ve been misunderstood in the past, but people here get me. Everyone might work differently—we all have our own niche, but we all do a good job.”

With his job boosting his confidence, building his skill set, and laying a solid foundation for his professional growth, Ian is excited about the future. As he considers how he would like to evolve in his career, he’s eager to see where he goes from here.

As Ian says, “I’m young—I have the whole world out there!”

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: