It never fails to amaze me how much some individuals go above and beyond to assist people with special needs. It becomes especially apparent when you enter a local store and see employees who have disabilities. This tells you a lot right off the bat about the owner of the business and the compassion that they have in helping those that are different.
When I walked into the beautiful shop “A Little Something” in Shelburne, I began talking to Deirdre, who owns the shop. I have been going to A Little Something since it opened years ago. Little did I know the positive impact that Deirdre has been having on our community all this time. Deirdre has been in touch with Howard Center for Human Services for several years and has been hiring individuals with disabilities to help out in her store.
Attached are the questions that I asked Deirdre about her experience. When reading it, I was brought to tears. I have become connected with a lot of families that have children with various disabilities. Many of them realize that their child will be not be able to live on their own, let alone have a job. But there is hope for these families. There are incredible, compassionate individuals that will include these people with disabilities in their work and make them feel a part of their community like Deirdre has. It is “A Little Something” that makes the difference!
How long have you had someone work for you who has special needs?
I’ve been lucky to have two people with special needs work for me. Nicki has been working at A Little Something about 4 or 5 years, and Jess has been with us since Spring 2016. Nicki comes in every other week, more often during our busy time at the end of the year, to help around the shop. She folds tissue, dusts, cleans the glass displays, helps decorate– anywhere she can help out, she jumps in. Jess is our official dog walker. She comes in two to three times a week to take Cush, our loving golden retriever shop mascot, out for a walk in the neighborhood.
What made you decide to do this?
I was contacted by one of the Howard Center job coaches about hiring someone. I’ve had experience working with the special needs community going back to high school when I volunteered at a special needs school in my home state of Rhode Island. I worked directly with teens who had multiple issues, ranging from head injuries, to severe autism or cerebral palsy, and other behavioral or cognitive challenges.. They had a pretty profound impact on me. It was eye-opening to be able to hop in a car and go on with typical teenage life after spending afternoons with these kids who had so much to give and wanted to share time with me. Given the chance to provide meaningful experiences at A Little Something to the special needs community, I didn’t hesitate.
What are the positive things that you get out of this experience?
I’m so grateful that A Little Something has an opportunity to help folks who may not have the chance to be out and about and earning money. They are also truly helping my business. I can see first-hand the pride they feel coming to work, and when they get their paychecks. And it’s kind of a no-brainer to me. I’ve been asked why I do this, and my gut response is always “why not?”
Everybody wants to feel valued and important. Having a job is one way to get that feeling. And I think the jobs they do for me are challenging enough to keep them enthused and committed to doing their very best each time they come to work. Everybody wins with that attitude! I think it’s important as a business owner and a human being to be a part of your community, in whatever ways speak to you. My staff, for many of whom is their first job, see this too. My customers see this. This is something I can do, it’s easy, and I am proud and glad to do something I personally think is extremely important for society as a whole, and I would encourage other business owners to see if they can do this, too.
What do you think the employee gets out of this experience?
I can see by the smiles on their faces every time they come in that this is a big part of their day. I hope it is a positive experience in every way. Nicki, for instance, is much more in charge of managing her various responsibilities here. If she has a new or different coach with her, she really drives the direction of the day. She knows what is needed to keep A Little Something ticking, she can think of the jobs she is needed to do when she’s here and she can self-direct.
Jess is so happy to share that she took the dog for a walk to anyone in the shop and on the sidewalk outside! Her enthusiasm is really contagious, and you can’t help but smile when she is around. She is in a wheelchair and not completely verbal, but that doesn’t stop her from expressing herself and commanding the job. She loves Cush, he loves her, and that is very well-communicated between them and to others!
How has this impacted your life?
Again, I’m just glad to be able to do this. It’s become such a routine that there’s not much to think about when they join me here at work. It definitely has helped A Little Something in that it frees up me and our staff to work on other responsibilities. I think people with special needs have more to offer than most people give them credit for and deserve to have a strong and visible presence in our communities. My other employees are richer for the experience we all share, and certainly Cush, my dog, is happier! He’s not not just laying around the shop, which I wasn’t feeling great about so I no longer feel guilty about that! I think people with special needs deserve to have a strong and visible presence in their communities, and I’m grateful the Howard Center sought me out.
Please visit “A Little Something” and support a local merchant who is having a positive impact on our community.