This October, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS).

Over the years, countless Minnesotans have overcome challenges to find success with the help of VRS. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique obstacles, but participants' perseverance and VRS staff members' dedication have helped overcome them, too. Each of the Minnesotans whose stories we share below was able to prepare for, find and keep a job thanks in part to the VRS program.

Omar Finds his First Job

In February, recent immigrant and Metro Deaf School student, Omar, worked with VRS to find a job working at a local Chick-fil-A. A Spanish-speaking VRS counselor with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Team in St. Paul worked with Omar and his family to help them navigate his transition from school to work. Later, another VRS counselor interpreted for Omar during interviews and provided further job search support. Omar was briefly furloughed from his job because of the pandemic, but returned to work in May and now works a couple of days a week.

Kim Returns to Work After 20 Years

Last fall, Kim found the courage to think about working again after 20 years but, after years of dealing with significant mental health and medical challenges, she was unsure how to move forward. That's when Individual Placement Support (IPS) services stepped in. Kim met with an employment consultant in Anoka County and a VRS career counselor. Together, the three developed an employment plan for Kim. With their help working on her resume and presentation skills, Kim was able to find a new job at Stepping Stones Learning Center, a daycare near where she lives. Kim keeps in touch with her counselors and says she is enjoying her job at the day care center.

Erich Works a Season in the Big Leagues

Erich, who has a rare neurodevelopmental disorder called Williams Syndrome, spent the summer of 2019 at Target Field, working for the Minnesota Twins' Ballpark Operations Department, thanks in part to assistance he received from VRS. When he left the ballpark last October after the Twins were eliminated from the playoffs, he planned to return in the spring. The COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans. Thanks to a strong recommendation from his ballpark manager, Erich landed a job at the Odyssey Theater taking tickets, but according to his VRS counselor "he's not done yet." For many years Erich volunteered and supported political campaigns, and he hopes to leverage his growing body of experience into a career advocating and supporting social change.

Thank you to Omar, Kim and Erich for allowing DEED to share their stories and inspire others. It's clear from their stories that finding that first job is crucial. VRS works with Minnesotans to get their foot in the door and start on a career path that leads to success.

Through VRS, qualified individuals have many resources designed to support all sorts of career goals. On CareerForceMN.com, people can find career planning tools, training opportunities and contact information for VRS staff who can provide assistance. Minnesotans with disabilities and their families can also email VRS.CustomerService@state.mn.us directly to learn what resources are available to them.

In a year full of new challenges, VRS staff have continued living out their century-long mission to help Minnesotans with disabilities find work. Together, we look forward to the next hundred years of helping all Minnesotans achieve success.