MOTIVATIONAL Inclusive Employment STORY
Inclusive employment transforms lives
Meet Armando — his smile alone could light up the entire building . He ’ s the kind of person whose presence feels like a warm embrace on a chilly day , radiating joy and positivity that ripple through the office . His presence reminds you that , sometimes , the simple act of showing up with a good attitude is enough to make the world spin just a little more smoothly .
Armando Perez
Armando is a person with a Intellectual and Developmental Disability ( IDD ), but his job at American Express Dining Department infuses purpose into his days which he approaches with passion and enthusiasm . You ’ ll find him tidying up food stations , making sure the microwaves are spotless and overall , keeping the office clean . He is contributing and making a difference . Every task he performs is done with care , attention and a pride that comes from knowing he ’ s an essential part of the larger whole .
" Hi !" He greets you with a grin so genuine , it feels like the sun breaking through the clouds . Ask him about his job and his response is always simple yet filled with meaning : " I like everything ." And you know he means it . Armando ’ s work is centered around the tasks he completes but it ’ s also about the connections he builds . His coworkers are more than colleagues ; they ’ re his friends , his second family . He talks about Curtis , his supervisor , with affection . Curtis , to Armando , is a big brother — someone who looks out for him , helps him out and makes sure he ’ s always supported . And Armando , in return , is always ready to help his teammates , his warmth and willingness to pitch in making him the kind of person every office needs .
Armando started his journey at American Express in 2019 , and since then , he ’ s grown in every possible way . His role might seem humble on the surface — cleaning , setting up food stations , maintaining a spotless environment , but there ’ s nothing ordinary about the way he approaches his work . It ’ s the care he puts into every detail that elevates his role and makes him indispensable . Every microwave he cleans , every food station he sets up , is done with the quiet dignity of someone who knows they ’ re part of something bigger . And it ’ s clear that Armando ’ s contributions are deeply valued by his team .
But more than the tasks themselves , Armando ’ s job is a place where his enthusiasm and zest for life are given room to flourish . He loves coming to work , so much , in fact , that although he ’ s only required to work three days a week , he insists on showing up five days a week . That ’ s Armando ’ s dedication in a nutshell . He cherishes the sense of belonging , the sense of purpose , that comes with being part of a work community . He gets a paycheck but to him , his job means more than that . He enjoys the independence it gives him and the knowledge that his job allows him to contribute towards society . He is pleased to receive the respect of his colleagues and gives them his respect in return . Armando is gainfully employed and proud !
Then there ’ s Rozanne , the Senior Employment Specialist at CP Unlimited , who plays a crucial role in making sure Armando and others like him can shine in their roles . If Armando is the heart of this story , Rozanne is the backbone . She ’ s
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