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Ken’s Kids, CVS and Variety: A Successful Collaboration
What do Ken’s Kids, CVS Caremark and Variety
Philadelphia have in common? Rather, whom?
Meet Brandon Hill, a recent graduate from Furness High
School in Philadelphia. We want to share his success
story…
Brandon was a member of the Variety After School
program at his high school. One of the program
sponsors, Robert Chisholm, encouraged Brandon to
apply to Ken’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that
provides employment and job coaching in The Home
Depot and CVS/Caremark stores.
Brandon’s school agreed to adjust his senior year schedule to allow for 2 days of paid CVS
employment and 3 days of coursework. Brandon would be held accountable for all of his
schoolwork; the same expectations were set for his job.
Brandon was accepted into the program and hired by CVS Caremark at 1405 S. 10th
Street, Philadelphia, under store manager Tony Chichearo. Barbara Montgomery, a Ken’s
Kids vocational trainer, worked side by side with Brandon for 10 weeks. She guided him
in developing relationships with the other CVS crew members and store management.
She taught Brandon how to stock the coolers, push the overstock, and provide
outstanding service to customers.
Brandon’s on-the-job training was co-funded by Ken’s Kids and Variety. This collaborative
effort is designed to transition young adults with special needs from the classroom into
the workforce.
Brandon has become a valued, hard working CVS employee who is diligent in
performing his assigned tasks. He receives periodic visits from Barbara while on the job.
He also attends monthly “21 Club” meetings with other Ken’s Kids workers to sharpen his
employment and communication skills.
So what does Brandon’s future hold? He passed the entrance exam for Lincoln Technical
School and hopes to become a student in the school’s Automobile Technician program.
His grandmother and legal guardian, Sheila, is helping Brandon apply for financial aid for
the 18-month program. He recently passed his permit test, too, and is learning how to
drive--a driver’s license is a prerequisite for the Auto Tech program of study. Brandon
intends to keep working at CVS, although some adjustments in schedule may be needed.
Brandon, congratulations for all you’ve accomplished so far! It’s just the beginning...