We are thrilled to shine our ProAct Talent Spotlight on Colleen, a truly remarkable participant whose extraordinary 34-year career at Casper’s in Eagan stands as a beautiful testament to hard work, personal growth, and the power of person-centered employment support!
As Colleen transitions into a well-deserved retirement, we look back on her incredible journey and celebrate the massive impact she has made on her workplace and community.
The Journey Begins: From the Workfloor to the Kitchen
Colleen’s journey with ProAct spans over three decades. She originally built her foundation on ProAct’s workfloor, spending many years mastering skills like labeling, tab placement, and assembling bolts. This structured environment gave her the confidence and experience she needed to thrive in the competitive workforce.
In 1991, with ProAct’s guidance and employment placement support, Colleen took a major step forward and walked through the doors of Casper’s for her very first day. Hired as a dishwasher, she took on tasks such as peeling potatoes and meal preparation, with potato peeling quickly becoming one of her favorite tasks of the job. Having a stable, reliable job at Casper’s allowed Colleen to grow immensely as a person and gain a deep sense of independence.
Support Every Step of the Way
Throughout her 34-year career, ProAct’s Employment Support Services (ESS) were right beside Colleen to ensure she had everything she needed to succeed.
In the early years, this meant providing direct transportation by picking her up and dropping her off for her shifts. When the COVID-19 pandemic altered traditional routines, ProAct seamlessly adjusted by training Colleen on how to safely navigate and use the Lyft program, ensuring she never lost her independent mobility.
Furthermore, whenever medical challenges or illnesses arose, ProAct’s dedicated job coaches, including Tori, Susie, and Kim, stepped in to advocate for her. They collaborated closely with her management team to secure the right workplace accommodations and ensured her shifts were covered so she could focus entirely on healing without stress.
A Beloved Pillar of Casper’s Culture
If you ask Colleen what she will miss the most, she will instantly tell you it is the people. Over the years, Colleen didn’t just build a career; she built a community.
Her supervisors, Rick and Tracy, alongside the entire Casper’s team, created a welcoming and supportive environment. Rick was even Colleen’s longtime “Kris Kringle” friend! Her funny coworker, Lisa, became a close friend who frequently visits her and meets up for lunch dates. Colleen would also head home after a fulfilling day of work to her beloved dog, Izzy.
Colleen’s warmth also made her a favorite among Casper’s patrons. Local regulars from Apple Valley, Darrel and Sylvia, would stop in routinely just to see her. Then there were the “Bridge Ladies,” a local group that came in monthly to host parties. Colleen deliberately made sure to work those specific shifts just to see them and join in on the fun.
A Grand Farewell and New Beginnings
Colleen officially concluded her final chapter at Casper’s on April 16th, retiring due to ongoing medical issues. To send her off in style, her manager, Rick, teamed up with her to plan a massive retirement party. With about 60 coworkers, friends, and loved ones attending, the celebration was a beautiful reflection of how deeply loved she is.
Though her working days are done, Colleen isn’t completely saying goodbye. Thanks to her Lyft training from ProAct, she already plans to travel back to Casper’s to visit the Bridge Ladies, who have made it very clear how much they will miss her.
Reflecting on her lifetime of success, Colleen has nothing but praise for the people who helped her achieve it: “I would work with ProAct all over again if I could,” she shares. “If you want to go out into the community and find employment, go to ProAct.”
Congratulations on an unbelievable 34 years, Colleen! Your ProAct family is incredibly proud of you, and we wish you a joyful, relaxing retirement.
Do you or a loved one want to find fulfilling employment and connect with your local community? Contact ProAct’s Employment Support Services today to learn how we can help you achieve your goals!
