Ryan Day’s Success Story with Fry’s Foods
When Ryan Day sets his mind to something, nothing can stop him.
Through Quality Connections adult learning program, the 25-year-old has tackled everything from creating recipes in the culinary program to being an on-air DJ for QC’s online radio show.
So it is no surprise that when he pursued finding a job in the community, he worked hard with his job coach at QC creating his resume,
filling out applications, and practicing his interviewing skills. He sent out lots of packages to potential employers, he says.
That persistence served him well.
Not long after he sent out his resume, Fry’s Food in Flagstaff was the first one to respond. In quick order, there was an interview and a job offer. Ryan’s been there, working six-hour shifts two to three days a week as a courtesy clerk. He bags groceries, collects carts, re-shelves items, and answers customers’ questions.
Tim Harrison, QC’s Training and Employment Services Director, says that every job has a learning curve. “Once Ryan got past those hiccups, he’s been rocking and rolling,” he said.
“They say I’ve been doing good,” Ryan adds emphatically.
Ryan’s success with Fry’s is due in part to his personality, Tim said. Ryan’s confident with a dry sense of humor that people tend to enjoy.
He also is working for a chain that has a profound commitment to diverse employment.
The Kroger Co., the parent company of Fry’s Food Stores, recently received a top score on the Disability Equality Index, making the company a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the fifth year in a row. The Disability Equality Index is an objective, reflective, forward-thinking, and confidential disability rating tool designed to assist businesses in advancing inclusion practices.
“Kroger is committed to providing an inclusive workplace where associates of all abilities and backgrounds can truly thrive,” said Tim Massa, senior vice president and chief people officer.
For Ryan, working at Fry’s Food is another step in gaining greater independence, but with the support of others. For example, Ryan arranges for paratransit to get to and from his home, where he lives with his parents. But if he works a later shift, he’ll arrange for his Mom to give him a ride.
And while he is working well on his own at Fry’s, his QC employment specialist will visit periodically to observe how he interacts with customers and check in with Ryan’s manager to ensure all is going well.
We are grateful to the businesses in our community who embrace hiring individuals with different abilities. If your company is interested in hiring workers with disabilities, please contact us.
Fry’s Community Rewards Program
Did you know that if you have a Shopper’s Card at Fry’s, you could help raise needed funds for Quality Connections?
QC is a participating organization in Fry’s Community Rewards Program, a program that benefits local nonprofits based on the shopping you do every day.
All you need to do is go to the Fry’s Community Rewards page and link your Shopper’s Card to “Quality Connections Inc.” Once you do, a percentage of your purchases will be donated to QC. It’s that easy!
Funds raised through this program directly go to our education and training initiatives that help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence and become productive members of our community.
