With Support from AHRC NYC, Queens Men with Disabilities Thrive at Costco
Four Queens men with disabilities represent nearly 100 years of employment at Costco in Lawrence, N.Y. With support from AHRC New York City, the men are valuable Costco team members.
“I try my best to keep a smile on my face,” says Clifton Grant, 50, a Costco cart attendant, who has worked at the site for 25 years.
Spencer Williams, 59, one of the store’s cashier assistants, enjoys interacting with customers, as he packs their purchases into shopping carts. “It feels really good to stay at the same company for 25 years,” he says.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed in October, celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and their value to employers. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are traditionally unemployed or underemployed. AHRC NYC, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, has the largest employment training program in New York State and is among the largest in the nation.
AHRC NYC’s Queens Employment Business Services assisted the men in finding their jobs. Over the years, the organization has provided them with job coaches, who have helped them. Aissata S. Cire has been their job coach for nearly three years.
Job coaches play a key role in helping people with disabilities retain employment. They assist the person in getting oriented to a work site, learning essential skills, providing emotional support, and much more. Job coaches set up employees with disabilities for success.
“They work here for so long because they love the job and the environment at Costco,” Aissata says. “They are on time and do a good job.”
Charles Moore loads groceries at the Costco checkout.
Working hard has been part of Charles Moore’s life since he was 12. His father, a trucker carrying heavy spools of material for clothing, made sure that Charles and his brother worked with him during the summer and school breaks. “He taught us that if you want something in life, you have to work for it,” says Charles, 59, of Howard Beach, who recently celebrated 24 years at Costco.
Delsie Hibbert, Costco Temporary Assistant General Manager at the site, recognizes the value the men bring to Costco. “They’re amazing; just awesome,” she says, acknowledging the quality of their work.
Kevin Surles, 50, also a cart attendant, feels fortunate to be working at the warehouse for 25 years. “Other employees are shocked to see how long we’ve been here,” the Far Rockaway, resident says. “We know how to do our jobs well.”
Aissata helped Spencer learn the proper amount of time for breaks. She suggested his supervisor write down the time Spencer needs to return from his break on a piece of paper and give it to Spencer when the break begins. “I also remind him to greet the customer and smile because he’s so focused on loading the customer’s purchases in the cart.”
“To maintain a job, you need the support of a job coach and the family,” Aissata adds.
Spencer, who’s from Springfield Gardens, enjoys working so much that he forgets that he needs to schedule his vacation time, Aissata explains. Working with Spencer’s brother, they make sure Spencer uses his vacation time.
Clifton, who lives in a supportive apartment in Hillside with his twin brother, spends his paycheck wisely, he says. “I pay my rent, my bills, like my cell phone and cable,” he says. “I go to movies, go to the mall with my friends, go out to eat and buy games for my PS5. But I also save money for a rainy day.”
Aissata, who has been with AHRC NYC for more than 10 years, enjoys the rewards of her job. “The best part of being a job coach is knowing that I’ve helped someone attain a job and be independent,” she says. “I love supporting people with disabilities. I want them to stay in the working world and be happy with their lives.”
With 591 locations in the U.S. & Puerto Rico, and additional warehouses across the globe, Costco has been a leader in the warehouse club and retail industry for more than 40 years. Supportive managers have enabled the four men to thrive on the job.
“Costco has been a great supporter of our organization and the people we support on the job for over 25 years,” says Steve Towler, AHRC NYC’s Vice President for Programs and Business Development. “Thank you for helping us to achieve the employment goals and dreams of people seeking a career. Each job opportunity has life-changing potential, which is so evident at this job site.”
Spencer Williams enjoys his interactions with Costco’s customers.
None of the men have any plans to retire in the near future.
“I don’t want to retire yet,” Clifton says. “Maybe in another 15 years.”
“I’m not ready,” Spencer adds. “I like it here. I’m going to keep on going.”
“I have no plans to slow down; I’ll just keep working,” Charles says.
Nearly 20% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed in the United States. People with I/DD are an untapped resource.
Delsie encourages other companies to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. “Their disability doesn’t stop them from doing a good job,” she says. “They’re capable of doing the job as well as anyone else.”
