Employment Success Story: Bonnie González

Employment Success Story: Bonnie González

Where do you work, and how long have you worked there?

"I work at Common Ground, and I have worked there since April 2021."

What parts of your job do you enjoy the most?

"The part of my job that I enjoy the most is training the new crisis workers that are coming on board. And supporting them to learn what it means to be there for someone in crisis."

Can you share a moment when you felt proud of your contributions at work?

"There are many moments that I feel proud of my contributions at work, but I think the moment I felt the proudest was when one of my supervisors was having a tough time on a call, but I remembered a solution that we discussed previously, and I was able to help them through the call."

Can you describe how your employment has improved your life outside of work?

"My employment has allowed me to move to a place where I feel more at peace and safe. I was able to buy my own home, get off disability benefits, and focus on other things that are equally important in my life."

What advice would you give to people with disabilities looking for a job in their community?

"The advice I would give other people with disabilities is, don’t be afraid to ask for the things you need to do your job well. Additionally, don’t be afraid to start out small. Pace yourself and work your way to where you want to do something that you’re passionate about so that you can help others, even if you choose not to pursue a helping profession."

What advice would you give to employers wanting to hire people with disabilities?

"The advice I would give employers is not to be afraid to take a chance on a person with a disability or provide reasonable accommodations they may need. That person may be your hardest-working, most innovative, and productive employee. If you are not willing to take the chance, you will never know."