Brianna was referred to Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) for help securing her first permanent position. She was originally interested in a job in food services, but after several unfruitful interviews, her Career Resource Specialist Bree Cosgrove encouraged Brianna to expand their search. Brianna’s open-mindedness and Bree’s ability to build reciprocal relationships led to a great new job for Brianna!
As part of WOU’s Palm Beach team, Bree dedicates her days to breaking down barriers to employment for people with disabilities. She had also been developing a partnership with a local Michaels, the arts and crafts store. Michaels was seeking individuals to help stock their inventory, so Bree presented this as a potential job to Brianna, who thought it sounded fun. As Bree explains, “Brianna has an interest in stocking and organizing, because she enjoys making things look nice. We set out for an interview with the store manager, Dawn. After the interview, Brianna informed me that she was very interested in moving forward.” Dawn offered Brianna a 12-week on-the-job training (OJT) opportunity. Bree had a good feeling about this OJT for Brianna because of how supportive and understanding Dawn was. “Dawn enjoys growing individuals,” says Bree. “This was exactly the environment that would allow Brianna to thrive.”
From day one, Brianna approached each task with enthusiasm, determination, and a desire to learn. At first, she was uncomfortable talking with customers and initiating communication. To help her overcome this barrier and grow her customer service skills, shares Bree, “The store’s supervisor, Theresa, supported Brianna and encouraged her, as did the team as a whole. She was given the task of greeting customers at the front of the store. This really helped her come out of her shell and learn the layout of the store.” As the OJT continued, Brianna grew more comfortable chatting with customers. Bree says, “She genuinely wants to help everyone and make sure each customer has a great experience.” At the end of her training, Brianna was offered and gladly accepted a permanent position as a Store Associate at Michaels. Brianna says, “I was nervous at first because it was a new step and chapter in my life. Then I felt excited because it was my first job.”
As a Store Associate, Brianna stocks merchandise, organizes shelves, and most importantly, assists customers with questions and finding merchandise. The customers have remained her focus, but her favorite tasks remain stocking and organizing because, as Brianna says, “It makes me feel happy. I feel like I accomplished something.” She works alongside a great team of associates each shift, like coworker Ashley, who provided natural support to help Brianna adjust from her OJT to employment. Brianna says, “Ashley taught me how to organize shelves in a quicker, more efficient way. She helped me become more independent in my job by showing me how to get merchandise from the back room. Everyone that works here is so positive and helpful.” Bree is proud of Brianna’s growing confidence and willingness to request support when she needs it. She says, “Brianna stays curious. She asks questions and works hard to always learn more. In addition, she uses her walkie to ask for support from her team and asked for my assistance to request a yearly evaluation. This is a big step for Brianna, who struggled to ask for help and advocate for herself. It is such a pleasure to hear her working to advocate for what she wants.”
Brianna has recently celebrated a major milestone: her one-year anniversary with Michaels. Her hard work and dedication were further recognized when she was awarded Employee of the Month, a well-deserved honor that highlights her continued commitment to excellence. Brianna cheerfully states, “I was surprised and shocked. I never thought that would happen to me.” One of Brianna’s store managers, Connie, shares, “When I first met Brianna, she was quiet and reserved, new to a busy retail store full of customers who need products but also ideas for their projects. It has been inspirational to watch her overcome challenges. She is much more confident talking to customers and interacting with them and associates. She makes us all so proud. Brianna is now mentoring others within the program and encouraging them along the way.”
The future is extremely bright for Brianna, both at work and in her personal life. She has begun cross training in additional tasks at Michaels, like operating the registers and learning how the frame shop runs. She has successfully closed services with WOU, but Bree continues to stop in about once per month to see how Brianna’s doing, and is pleased to see that she has remained happy and supported in her position. In addition, Brianna has been accepted to The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Academy for Community Inclusion (ACI) program, with plans to pursue radiology or a technology program.
Brianna is thriving as a valued member of the Michaels team, and her success has even led to meaningful employment for other WOU clients. Corporate Partnerships Coordinator Amanda Tosoni shares, “WOU partnered with Michaels in February 2025 to support their ‘Makers Like Me’ initiative. This initiative was designed to support candidates with disabilities, and they believe that everyone belongs at the craft table.” Bree says, “Brianna was the first WOU participant in our area. She worked hard and set a great example. Brianna paved the way for other participants and opened up opportunities in other locations, eventually leading to Michaels becoming a WOU Corporate Partner. The Palm Beach team is so proud of your achievements!” Congratulations, Brianna!
