Makena Achieves Sweet Success!

Between helping customers who are eager to buy treats at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the Promenade Temecula Mall, 20-year-old Makena smiles and admits, “I have a big sweet tooth.” 

And while ice cream is her favorite indulgence, she looks perfectly content in her new position as she concentrates on dipping Minnie Mouse-shaped, caramel apples into a bowl of colorful sprinkles. “It’s my second day and I’m a little bit nervous,” Makena confides. Standing next to her, fellow employee Joy Teofilo offers an occasional pointer and plenty of encouragement. “She’s eager to learn and is great with customers,” she says. 

Adds Chelsea Grayek, Director of Operations, “Makena has a happy-go-lucky, positive attitude and is very responsive to our instruction. She’s doing wonderfully and she’s happy doing it, which is what I love most.” 

A part-time student at Mt. San Jacinto College where she is studying medical technology, Makena has also volunteered for the past five years at the My New Hope Foundation, a non-profit that rescues, rehabilitates and finds homes for dogs.

Seeking meaningful employment, Makena connected with Easterseals Southern California’s  WorkFirst Employment Services, which provides customized support for people with disabilities who are entering or re-entering the workforce. The service supports individuals to build fulfilling lives, increase economic self-sufficiency and pursue purposeful, rewarding careers that align with their individual talents, skills and interests.

Since launching in 2009, WorkFirst has helped more than 4,000 job seekers find employment through discovery and learning about the individual, résumé and interview support, informational interviews, education, on-the-job support for both employees and employers and referrals to additional community resources like housing. 

“We believe anyone can work,” says Jennifer Cox, a WorkFirst program manager. “With customized employment, we take the time to get to know someone and discover their skills and strengths to then match that to a business need. We want to remove labels and stigma and fight for people to be seen for who they are and the skills that they bring to the workforce. We take disability out of the conversation.”

During her discovery process with Vocational Specialist Desiree Rivera, baking and animals were revealed as two of Makena’s biggest passions. She was also eager to find a job that allowed her to connect with people in a social environment. Desiree than began outreach to local businesses in Makena’s areas of interest to find the right fit—a job designed specifically for Makena that would offer her growth, as well as provide value to the employer.

Recalls store owner Mallori Harlin, who operates three Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations, “When the opportunity came up and we met Makena, we couldn’t say no.  We said, ‘If we can do it, we definitely will do it.’ We just had to figure out how to create a position in our company that was beneficial to us as well as Makena. She impressed us all during her informational interviews, one of which was on the job.” 

“They helped me to find work that I like,” says Makena, who appreciates that ESSC WorkFirst assisted her in exploring a variety of jobs and environments, an experience she believes helped her prepare not only for this position but for the future.

Continues Mallori, “Makena is a great fit. She has a positive attitude and a skillset that we can use. We are happy to be involved and to have Makena as part of our team.”

As she wipes a smudge of chocolate from her sleeve, Makena says, “The people here are amazing and really nice,” then heads off to assist another customer—proof that she’s found a job as sweet as the treats she serves.