Lee Bond wanted to work - but was fearful of losing access to benefits.
Lee, 30, had never worked in a paid job, but stayed busy because he likes to be
active. His family, specifically his father, was concerned that if Lee got a
job he would lose access to benefits that help him live independently,
including his medical and housing benefits.
In order to help convince Lee and his father that working was feasible, Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselor Cortney Gibson set up a meeting with Jill Hannemann, a
Work Incentives Counselor with the Work Incentives Network and Abilitree.
Jill showed Lee and his father multiple scenarios, showing his benefits at 10, 20
and 30 hours per week of working.
“I showed them different scenarios of how much he would take home after taxes so
he could make an informed choice,” Jill said, adding that even if Lee worked
full-time, he would still retain many of his important benefits.
“It was really important to put his mind to rest about this before he was willing
to really explore work.”
Lee’s Personal Agent Katie King added: “Before he went to VR, Lee volunteered a lot
because he really wanted to be doing something. Lee really wanted to work and
be productive."
Around this time, Jim Roths, owner of both Dillon’s Grill and Club Pioneer restaurants in Prineville, reached out to Karianne Clark, owner of Central Oregon
Employment Solutions. Jim employs several people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities at his restaurants, and won an award from the State Rehabilitation Council in May 2019 for commitment to hiring
people with disabilities.
Jim told Kari he needed a backup dishwasher for his busy times at Club Pioneer.
“I told her it’s a really physical job,” Jim said. “She said she had someone in
mind.”
Enter Lee, who loves riding his bicycle everywhere and staying active. Kari said Lee had taken culinary classes and was interested in working in a kitchen.
“I told her I didn’t want to cook though because I don’t want to mess up someone’s good meal,” Lee said.
Jim said he decided to work side-by-side with Lee doing dishes to see how he worked. Although he started at 10 hours per week, Lee now works up to 30 hours per week.
“I’m making a lot more money now,” Lee said. “It’s helping me to save for my house.”
Lee’s dream is to one day buy his own home. It’s a goal he has had for a while, and he couldn’t quite say why it’s so important to him.
“I just want to,” he said, shrugging and smiling. “Always have.”
Jim Roths of Club Pioneer said he promoted Lee to more hours because of his strong work ethic.
“We thought he was going to be just the backup but almost right away offered him a position,” Jim said. “He’s just been fantastic. I love his attitude. And he loves the work.”
Lee, who doesn’t often say a lot, is also learning to communicate his needs. When he first started, he hesitated to talk to managers or coworkers or ask questions. He also learned to use his supports when needed.
“I was really hot in the kitchen one day, and I called Kari,” he said.
Kari said Lee was overheating in the kitchen and getting sick, so she got him a icepack he can wear on his neck to cool his body down. In addition, she talked to his coworkers and found out that they keep a cooler full of electrolyte popsicles just for warm days. Kari said she worked with Lee to identify natural supports at the restaurant that he could go to with questions if he needs or issues.
He also reached out to Cortney Gibson, who purchased him a lock and reflective shields on his bicycle so he can be safe biking to work at night.
Now Lee is working, earning money and is still connected to all the medical, housing and developmental disability benefits that help him to be independent.
“It is worthwhile to work, and people often don’t realize how much they can work and earn while staying connected to benefits,” Jill Hannemann said.
As for Jim Roths, he has another dependable, hard-working employee on his staff.
“To me, having a business isn’t just about making money; it’s also about having a positive impact in your community,” Jim said. “I love watching people work here and going from surviving to thriving. And the supports that VR and people like Kari offer are essential to making this whole thing successful for the business.”
Lee’s employment team includes: Personal Agent Katie King with Full Access High Desert, Job Developer and Job Coach Kari Clark, VR Counselor Cortney Gibson, and Jill Hannemann, Work Incentives Counselor with Work Incentives Network and Abilitree.
View a photo slideshow of Lee.