CIRCLEVILLE – Opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities runs a summer in-demand work experience program all over Ohio and Capabilities located here in Circleville was able to connect the dots for a few students interested in summer work this year.
This new program came from Ohio and for Opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities. Primary One is one of only seven sites to participate in this program, OOD only approved seven locations across the whole state. Primary One is located inside Berger Hosptial in Circleville, and they specialize in providing services to people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Isaiah Browning and Kyle Boyd were selected to be part of this program this year, both 17 and from Teays Valley School district. The boys were able to get valuable work experience in a hospital office environment. From punching holes to preparing mail, and other medical office jobs the boys said they enjoyed the experience. “I think its fun,” said Browning. Boyd said his work included, “clerical work, organizing stuff, and keeping track of a cholesterol log for the doctors.
In the future, Browning wants to work in the hospital doing janitorial work and clerical work. Browning said, “he already has experience with the janitors at Teays Valley High School and enjoys that, and gets paid for both jobs.”
Boyd said similar, “He likes clerical work, cleaning up and thinks that’s what he will do in his future also.”
“They have done a great job! One of the big jobs was addressing envelopes, it is a huge manual job we have to do here, and the boys have helped out tremendously with that in the office. They went around to the people in the office to see what they could do for each one of them. So they got acquainted with each one of the employees here and build up work professionalism,” Lori Vandermark Primary one management.
“To go from a High School to a doctors office is a big step, I think they adapted quite well in this environment. These well-behaved boys took on any task asked of them with positive attitudes. I think this was a great summer work program with Primary One hosting us. I think programs like this teach so many different skills from money management to work relationships and help kids enter the workforce,” said Brittany Carter Job Coach Capabilities.
