Phoenix Center Student Named Employee of the Month at Local Walgreens

Wyckoff, NJ – Like many 19-year olds, Edgewater Park resident Zachary Keyser is a full time student and has not one, but two jobs outside of school.  At one of those jobs – Walgreens – he was just named Employee of the Month.

Keyser has had to work harder than most other teens to get to where he is today. Since he was nine years old, Keyser has attended The Phoenix Center, a nationally-accredited private, not-for-profit school in Nutley. Now in its 23rd year of operation, The Phoenix Center serves students with complex multiple disabilities, autism and cognitive disabilities.  Students are placed by their local school district and attend at no cost to parents.

Store Manager Joseph Rossi of the Walgreens on Cedar Hill Ave. in Wyckoff announced the recognition and highlighted Zack’s strengths as an employee at the daily morning meeting. Employees joined in the celebration with cheers for their co-worker. 

“Zack genuinely deserves to be recognized as employee of the month,” said Rossi. “Between his outgoing personality and can-do attitude to serve each guest, he continues to show exceptional customer care and we couldn’t be more proud to have him on our team.”

When Keyser first started his job at Walgreens, a company well known for its commitment to a diverse and inclusive work force, he had a full time coach from The Phoenix Center working along side him to assist with learning the work. Today, Keyser is beginning to work independently among his peers. “We are fading that support back, because there are more natural supports for him there,” said Laureen Protomastro, the Transition Coordinator at The Phoenix Center. The job coach now checks in with Zachary about once an hour.

“When I found out I was employee of the month, I was surprised a little bit, but it felt good,” said Zachary. “I like displaying exceptional customer care and I like to give one hundred percent when I am there.”

“I like that my boss trusts me with certain projects, like helping customers,” added Zachary.  “After I graduate, I hope to work at Walgreens. I really like it there.”

Under state and federal law, students like Keyser can remain in school until age 21. The last few years of school, considered “transition,” are geared toward helping students prepare for the world of work or post secondary education.

According to Protomastro, Keyser has been working at jobs in the community as part of his transition plan since he was 16. “He follows procedures to the letter, and I think that is part of what makes him so successful at work,” she said.

The Phoenix Center, a pioneer in the area of employment supports for students with complex disabilities, was the first private school in New Jersey to receive approval for its supported employment program. The Center develops an individual transition plan for each student, which includes career exploration, job tours, resume preparation, the job application process, and role playing for social skills development and job interviews. With support from one of the Center's ten trained employments specialists, all students age 16 to 21 who attend The Phoenix Center are engaged in volunteer and/or paid integrated employment opportunities.

For more, go to www.phoenixcenterinc.com.