Carlos came to Gompers Employment Services needing some help. Carlos has a developmental disability and was in the probation system. Without intervention, he was to transition to a lifetime adult probation. Carlos wanted assistance so he could move toward employment—becoming an active participant in something meaningful to avoid lifelong restrictions.

Carlos’s ultimate goal was to avoid probation, and have meaningful employment. He had an immense lack of resources since he didn’t qualifying for funding that would pay for assistance. Carlos has a cognitive delay that was an obstacle to his success. Additionally, the terms of his probation also limited what he could do independently. Gompers would have to get creative and tailor an affordable program to get Carlos moving toward employment. Thankfully, the Arizona Justice System believed in us enough to suspend his probation payments to make sure our strategy was affordable.

It seemed like all the odds were against Carlos, but we wouldn’t let that deter him.

We had three short months to show the judge significant progress toward a meaningful change in Carlos’s life. Gompers Employment Services team enrolled him into our Transition to Employment program, a program that enhances self-determination, and teaches people to develop resumes, dress for success, how to apply for jobs, among other skills. In TTE, Carlos was able to begin working on his employment soft skills.

From the beginning, Carlos was profoundly receptive to the program and was eager to learn. In a short time, he attended a job fair, where he met people from Hotel Pros and showed immediate interest in getting a job with them. He applied and got an interview! Carlos did so well in the interview that he got the job, and was assigned a laundry position at the Hyatt Regency here in downtown Phoenix.

In January of 2018, Carlos was removed from probation. The judge over Carlos’s case was astonished by the progress Carlos was making. He praised Carlos’s hard work, as well as the assistance that Gompers committed to providing. Without the support from Carlos, family, the Arizona Justice system, and Gompers, none of this would be conceivable. Together Carlos was wrapped in the support necessary to be successful and even has the chance to have his charges dismissed in 2019! Gompers continues periodic follow up with Carlos to ensure continued success and to provide support to address any issues he may have.

We couldn’t be more proud of Carlos and the work he’s done to transform his life!