POW&R and Grotto Pizza celebrate employment partnership

Participants in the Autism Delaware adult services program known as POW&R (Productive Opportunities for Work & Recreation) celebrated their employment partnership with Grotto Pizza recently at the Milford location by presenting gifts of appreciation.

Since hiring the first POW&R participant in 2012, Grotto Pizza has hired seven program participants to work in four of the area locations, and assessment work has been done at five locations. On hand to help celebrate were POW&R participants Cory O’Bier, Tim Magee, Will Crist, Jerry Meece, Jordan Little, and Mark Kleinstsuber, and their direct support professionals, as well as co-workers and managers of various local Grotto Pizza locations and the operation’s director of human resources, Glenn Byrum.

“Our goal,” explained POW&R Assistant Director Melissa Martin, “was to bring everyone together to celebrate the success of our employment partnership with Grotto Pizza as well as to show our appreciation. At Grotto Pizza, POW&R participants have an opportunity to do the work they are good at, want to do, and enjoy.”

POW&R participant Kleinstuber always dreamed of making pizza. Joining the Grotto Pizza staff at the entry level, Kleinstuber has mastered each job he was given and was recently promoted. On Dec. 30, Kleinstuber will start training as an official pizza maker. “I wasn’t really sure I could do it,” admitted Kleinstuber to Martin. “I’ve achieved my goal.”

“Grotto Pizza’s partnership with Autism Delaware works because the POW&R participants make a difference,” adds Martin. “Like all of our community partners, Grotto Pizza is provided with hardworking, dedicated employees who can do their jobs well.”

As Autism Delaware’s adult services program, POW&R supports each individual’s ability to live, learn, and work to his or her fullest potential. Whether the individual with autism spectrum disorder is looking for competitive employment, supported employment, or self-employment, community-based vocational services are possible. POW&R staff match each employer’s needs with the appropriate employee’s skills and ambitions, teach each POW&R participant how to do the job the way the employer expects it to be done, and provide ongoing supports for quality assurance. Staff may also support each POW&R participant’s social and wellness goals.

In 2013, POW&R was named Vendor of the Year by the Delaware State Rehabilitation Council and the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The POW&R program is funded by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Autism Delaware fundraising.

For more information about POW&R, go to autismdelaware.org, or call 302-224-6020 or 302-644-3410.