OVR starts new recognition program: Consumer/Employer of the Week

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has created a new segment on their Facebook page where they acknowledge the “Consumer/Employer of the Week,” which focuses on the consumer and employer rather than the workplace.

According to the Pre-Employment Transition Services coordinator Sam Santos, the idea behind the social media post is to “shift the framework” of OVR’s social media page because the consumer/employer are the reason why they work. So far, OVR has recognized two consumers and two employers of the week.

Santos said it’s important for OVR to do this segment every week because it helps them celebrate and showcase OVR’s achievements to the community.

“OVR is only successful if their consumers are successful. In addition, it is also a great way for us to express our most sincere gratitude and support toward our partner agencies and businesses,” said Santos.

Their first one was in honor of National Library Week where they recognized the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for their partnership and agreeing to train two of OVR’s consumers under the Work Experience Training program.

“We extend our appreciation to JKPL executive director Erlinda Naputi, and her hardworking staff for opening their doors to people with disabilities. We would also like to recognize our trainees’ supervisor, Ms. Beth Demapan, who is the Technical Services Librarian at JKPL, for the overwhelming positive remarks she has for our consumers,” said OVR on their Facebook page.

Their first Consumer of the Week was Tyler Villacrusis, 20, who applied at OVR in February 2019 and was determined eligible for VR services in March 2019. Villacrusis was referred by one of OVR’s partners, the Disability Support Services at the Northern Marianas College, where he is attending classes.

Villacrusis is a Marianas High School alumnus who is studying in the educational field at NMC.

“Tyler wanted to gain some training and experience in the workforce, specifically at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and was able to achieve this through OVR’s Work Experience Training program, where he is training as a librarian assistant,” said OVR.

The other Consumer of the Week is Eddie Gus Sablan who is a Saipan Southern High School alumnus who now works at Taro Sue in Garapan. He is also a participant of OVR’s WET program.

The other Employer of the Week is Taro Sue Corp., which has been in partnership with OVR for over two years.

“With the amazing assistance of TSC general manager Arlene Silva, OVR has been able to place a number of consumers for the WET program and the On-The-Job Training program. In the past year, they have also hired one of our previous consumers as a full-time employee,” said OVR.

OVR thanks TSC for “providing meaningful and beneficial trainings to our consumers, in an integrated and conducive work environment.”