Student Success Stories

What Sprouted at Sprouts!

Luca DiTano is 24 years old and went through the San Ramon Valley USD from 2nd grade to age 22. While in high school and the Transition program, Luca worked hard every year learning new job skills with WorkAbility. Since Luca has always had a desire to cook like Rachel Ray and is the most social guy we know, Luca worked several subsidized jobs in food service and customer service. After completing his SRVUSD education Luca applied for a job at Sprouts in San Ramon and was hired. Luca is the kind of guy that can remember your name or birthday and it will never be forgotten, even if you would rather not everyone know your birth year. He greets customers and co-workers at Sprouts by their first name as they come in the door (a good reason to be on time). Food knowledge and customer service is what make Luca the best courtesy clerk at Sprouts, in San Ramon. Thanks to job skills learned with WorkAbility Luca is one of Sprouts best workers.

Published in the Calif. WorkAbility Business, Education, Labor newsletter; SPRING 2021

Nothing Sweeter at Sweet Street

The goal is working independently, yet the journey is sometimes filled with bumps in the road. However, having community businesses like Sweet Street makes the path to independence a sweeter ride. Sarah Hepner and Leticia Malorana own a candy shop called, "Sweet Street" in downtown Danville. They have emabraced the WorkAbility program and its students for two years. Students start out with a job coach but the staff at Sweet Street have declared, "we got this".

Students like Juliana quickly learned the ropes (or red vines) and how to work independently around the candy store, learning the products and how to provide excellent customer service. It can't get any sweeter than that!

Published in the Calif. WorkAbility Business, Education, Labor newsletter; SPRING 2020

Kyle's Loving it at McDonald's

On the first day of school Kyle had one question, "When can I start working?" Kyle had successfully participated in the San Ramon Valley USD's WorkAbility program the previous year and was hoping to be placed at McDonald's. He said he just wanted to learn all of the skills he would need to get hired. Our partnership with the Bay Area Restaurant Management Corportation and McDonald's has been a successful one and seemed like a perfect fit. Last year one of our WorkAbility students had been hired and even had trained other WorkAbility students placed there.

Kyle was placed at the McDonald's in Danville and was initially trained to work in the lobby. Once he felt that was mastered, he took the initiative and apporached his supervisor and asked if he could do more. He is now being trained to do a variety of tasks throughout the restaurant. Kyle loves his job and thanks to the management at McDonald's is gaining valuable work experience. We have also been told he is doing a great job!

People close to Kyle have seen a major transformation since he has started working. Kyle had always been very shy but that has changed. He used to get nervous talking to even small groups of people but now enjoys standing up in front of his entire class to tell them about his job. His teachers tell me that he has become a role model for the other students.

Kyle says his favorite part of the week is when he is working and was even excited to work on his birthday. His positive attitude, determination and willingness to get the job done has truly made him a success.

Published in the Calif. WorkAbility Business, Education, Labor newsletter; SPRING 2016

CVS for many years had an agreement with WorkAbility throughout the State of California called "Student Award of Excellence".

Our San Ramon Valley USD WorkAbility program won five times in five years. Each winner won a check for $200.00.

• Kevin W. - 2014

• Luca D. - 2015

• Jack W. - 2016

• Miles M. - 2017

• Christian C. - 2018