Success Stories

Cleaning up on work

“I get it done quickly,” says Amy Garlitch as she wipes the tray areas down just before the lunchtime rush at Red Wing’s newest restaurant.

“I need to do the tables first, then I wipe this down

and the trays and the edges,” she said.

Confident of her abilities, Arby’s leaders hired Garlitch to fill a critical customer need, maintaining a clean establishment that’s worth staying for.

“We want to be the best restaurant in Red Wing in terms of cleanliness and service, all the aspects,” said Arby’s General Manager Allen Nitz.  “We were looking for people who could help us achieve that.”

Garlitch knows that her top priority is to get everything clean in the dining room area.  She also covers the condiment dispensing areas and soda machines.  

“She’s a quick learner,” said Margaret Beam, another Arby’s employee who also works the front counter.  “You just have to show her and she does it.”

Garlitch knows when to ask Beam for help during the busiest times.  She has experience doing the same job at Randy’s, a local restaurant in Red Wing.

She also has goals to become better at the job she does.  “I’d like to get good at my speed and get paid more, to make more money because it’s really important,” Garlitch said.

ProAct job coach Karen Freier visits Garlitch at work on a weekly basis.  “She’s doing really well and seems to be very cordial with the customers,” Freier said.  

The fact that Garlitch has a disability hasn’t drawn any negative comments or disrespect at Arby’s, either, Freier explains.  “I have not heard of any one of these people speaking down to her.  They show her due respect.”

Part of Freier’s coaching function is to look for ways for Garlitch to improve.  She said her perfect attention to each task sometimes can get in the way of prioritizing what should be done first.  

Wiping tables quickly, but perhaps less thoroughly, means she can cover more tables in less time.  “And, when somebody’s left, she needs to go over and clear off that table,” Freier said.

Garlitch knows her job, probably because she’s done similar work for a number of establishments, including the REM group home, the American Legion and for Lake City schools.

“I learned a lot and did some training at ProAct,” she said.  Garlitch enjoys the people at ProAct and has known many for a long time.

When asked about her current job, she has no doubts.  “I want to keep working here forever.”  You like it that much?  “Yes I do,” she responds.

Growing people, growing flowers, growing in many ways

Surrounded by the lush greenery of Red Wing’s bluff country, ProAct client Jason Vieths is taking his horticulture experience to the next level, at Hallstrom Florist & Greenhouse.

With a satisfied smile, and his blue jeans soiled, Jason goes about his work with a quiet consistency.  “His boss is so tickled with him,” said Jason’s job coach, Karen Freier.  “He’s good to the people and he helps them.”  

After working with ProAct crews at several area businesses, Jason landed the full-time job, watering plants, potting soil, cleaning up and performing maintenance at Hallstrom’s eight greenhouses.  The 20-year-old has suffered from dyslexia.

“I come in on Saturdays and sometimes I water this whole place,” Jason said.  When asked about the plants, Jason was agreeable.  “They’re all right, I guess.  They grow on you,” he said.  

Jason enjoys working on small engines, and is handy at fixing problems around the greenhouse, especially the watering systems.

The sheer size and scope of the greenhouse facility brings some level of independence to Jason’s job.  “I come here and I look at the sheet to see what they’re doing.  Then I go do it,” he said.

Pointing to a sizable spread of plants, Jason explained the procedures.  “You have to water these individually.  If you don’t do that, you’ll have dry spots.”

Jason’s sense of humor keeps those around him listening.  When asked which flower is his favorite, he responded, “One that doesn’t need water.”

Freier and ProAct have encouraged Jason, providing him with motivation and assistance.  “He’s here every day on time,” said Freier.

That motivation has gone beyond the workplace.  Freier even helped Jason to study for his driver’s permit test.

“He had no initiative to do this,” said Freier.  “He wouldn’t have, if it hadn’t been for ProAct.”  Jason passed the test, and, on the first try.

“I got most of the hard questions right and the easy ones wrong,” Jason explained.  Freier was thrilled.  “I was more excited than he was,” she said.

Jason’s father gave him a pickup truck four years ago, but Jason never got his driver’s license, Freier explained.  “He’s so laid back,” she said.  “What’s your dad going to say?” she asked.  “He doesn’t know about it,“ came the response.

Work at the greenhouses doesn’t stop when the season ends.  That’s when Jason hopes to get more involved in the maintenance projects that must be done in preparation for the next flower season.

Getting things Done  

Almost four years ago, Maureen Kramer took a substitute position clearing tables at the Panera Breads’ restaurant in Eagan.  Her challenges and responsibilities have been growing wider ever since.  She is now the lead crew member regularly assigned to the restaurant, and she has taken on additional service tasks.  Kramer’s success is based on knowing how to keep ahead of the traffic, even with the noontime  rush of customers.  

            “It is a challenge to keep up with what you are doing.”  commented Kramer. “I just like to get things done and not waste any time.”  Being observant of the whole restaurant is her key to a good day when her shift ends.

To Maureen, being out in the community is worth the hard work, especially when she enjoys her co-workers and also likes meeting customers.  Maureen enjoys recognizing the regulars and even gets a tip every once in a while.

Maureen started at ProAct in Eagan (then named Owobopte) working with packaging and labeling production work.  Her interest in working out in the community got her started in training at Panera Bread two days a week as a substitute, and that quickly became a five day a week position.  

Maureen grew up in the town of Fountain in southeast Minnesota in a family of 10, with five brothers and two sisters.  When the local school did not have the services she needed, she moved to Lakeview School in Worthington, where she lived in a dormitory.  She later returned home to the local Wykoff High School and graduated with one of her brothers.

Maureen lives in Cottage Grove. After busy days at work she enjoys spending her leisure time relaxing with family and friends.

Does she have plans for a larger restaurant or added responsibilities?  “No.  I enjoy this place,” she quickly added.

Come back soon to www.proactinc.org for more client success stories!