At 20 years old, Keilani Robinson, who has Down syndrome, has had to learn how to live independently, from catching the bus to serving customers in her first job at a shave-ice business in Aina Haina Shopping Center.
Finding a job that’s the right fit has not been easy for the Manoa resident, but a local nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities lead productive and self-reliant lives has eased the transition.
Abilities Unlimited, a nonprofit that began in 1983 as a demonstration project, placed Robinson in December at Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, which created her first "real job," a paid part-time host position.
"She’s not comfortable with change. But for some reason she just fit right in and was comfortable from the start," said Robinson’s mother, Shirley. "She loves it. She’s more confident, and she realizes now that she has to pay taxes. She really looks forward to going to work."
The nonprofit worked with 45 businesses to provide competitive employment positions that pay at least minimum wage in fiscal 2012, up nearly triple the number of companies from the year before. Abilities Unlimited also offers training and job readiness programs that taught Robinson how to catch the bus, be on time and dress appropriately for work.
Doing business as Winners at Work Inc., the nonprofit serves as a "catalyst for positive social change" to build communities that welcome individuals with disabilities and "empower these individuals to participate in dignified opportunities in all sectors of community life," said Scott Nishimoto, community engagement and advocacy specialist for the organization, which is primarily funded by the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. "Part of our challenge is to find employers who are willing to hire persons with disabilities."
The nonprofit completed 55 placements in fiscal 2012, more than double the 22 placements it did the year earlier. It projects more than 70 placements in fiscal 2013.
"We were a little hesitant at first, thinking, Can we afford to add another position to our payroll expenses? It took a little while because we really wanted to make sure it was a right fit," said Bronson Chang, co-founder and partner at Uncle Clay’s, which opened in June 2011. "We built (the business) as a social enterprise. It’s more than just financial bottom line that determines the success of what we do. This is just another facet of creating a business that cares. By doing something that we feel is the right thing to do, it’s generated tremendous good will all around in our business."
Shirley Robinson said the opportunity has given her daughter a sense of purpose and identity.
"Finding somewhere where we would feel she was safe and that she would enjoy working (was our concern)," she said. "We always want to encourage her to be as independent as possible and contribute to the community and society. Being in a job and paying taxes is one way to contribute. Even people with disabilities are very capable. If you challenge them, they can do it if you give them the opportunity."
