By Judy Halone-The Courier-Herald
Alexis “Lexie” Butler has a passion for life. And now, thanks to the support from the Tacoma Goodwill Industries Workforce Development program, the 22-year-old Bonney Lake resident can confidently share that passion with her community.
Butler is a 2003 graduate of White River High School and successfully lives - and maintains a job - with a learning disability. Following graduation, her world of school suddenly transitioned to the work world. That's where Goodwill stepped in to help.
“The transition from high school is a whole different community than the world,” Pamela Rang, Goodwill consultant and Butler's case manager said. “There are social changes after graduation,” Rang explained.
The journey to independence wasn't easy.
Butler underwent a gamut of skills testing, transitional training and placement services, where the latter included developing skills such as resume building, increasing interaction skills, appearance and eye contact.
The work paid off. Butler hired on as a customer service representative at a local business and Goodwill shadowed her daily tasks. It also stayed in close contact with the employer to assure their needs were being met.
“They showed her the tasks until Lexie could meet the expectations, then they backed off, ” Rang said. “It's (about) accommodating their learning style. We break down each task so they understand each component.”
Butler is just one of 22 adults living in Bonney Lake and Enumclaw who participate in Tacoma Goodwill's Workforce Development programs, said Media and Public Relations Manager Matthew Erlich. “About 20 percent of our participants have a disability; (of that amount) people with developmental disabilities make up the largest segment of that population.”
Erlich said there are “a handful” of businesses on the Plateau that have tapped into Goodwill's programs. Regal Cinemas and Wal-Mart are two of its biggest participants, he said.
Offering a wide range of programs and services to the community is one of the factors behind Goodwill's Dec. 6 announcement of plans to open a $20 million, four-story Work Opportunity Center.
“It will provide expanded services,” Erlich said.
Construction of the facility comes at a good time. It opened its present Tacoma facility in 1965, serving 518 clients, placed 52 in jobs and managed three stores. In 2007 that need increased when it served 4,000 clients, placed 1,000 in jobs and managed 20 stores.
Sandy Butler said she is pleased with the support offered by Goodwill.
“I used to cry,” she said. “I didn't know where to go with her learning disability; I wanted an environment that was safe for her. I love them. Without them, she'd be housebound. Instead, she's part of our community. She's gained a lot of confidence and self-worth.”
And it shows.
“I love people, and I love my job,” Lexie Butler said.
Judy Halone can be reached at jhalone@courierherald.com.
