Rosemarie Walters has been working at Willow Valley Communities since September 2025! There, she works in the kitchen as a dishwasher at two separate restaurant locations on campus. When Rosemarie applied, Willow Valley had two separate part-time openings. Instead of choosing one, the hiring manager created a customized role by combining both positions into a single schedule. Rosemarie now works two days a week at each restaurant, with both managers collaborating to ensure her responsibilities remain consistent.
Before working at Willow Valley, Rosemarie did not feel valued at her previous employer. She wasn’t receiving the hours she wanted and felt there was limited opportunity for growth. Rosemarie made the decision to seek a new job where she could feel confident, supported, and set up to thrive. And Willow Valley has fulfilled her needs so far.
Since starting at Willow Valley, Rosemarie’s confidence has grown tremendously. She takes great pride in her work and truly feels like part of a team.
AHEDD Employment Specialist Tiffany Dickinson stated, “I am very proud of Rosie. Prior to being hired at Willow Valley, she was very discouraged about finding employment. She is thriving in her current role, and management has shared how amazing she is doing. We just completed her 90-day review, and the feedback was extremely positive.”
Rosemarie has already achieved her short-term goal of working at least 30 hours per week. She is now focused on her long-term goals of earning a $2 raise and increasing her hours to at least 35 per week.
In January, Rosemarie also enrolled in the Ticket to Work program to better understand her benefits and how employment may impact them, further demonstrating her commitment to long-term success.
Rosemarie is taking all the right steps toward a strong and sustainable career path. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and excited to watch her continue to reach her goals.