I appreciate the environment of the Training Center. It is a place that helps people move from starting nervous and scared to feeling confident. If a person is willing to
fully participate, then the doors will open.

Nathan
Portland Training Center Graduate

Nathan, a 36-year-old man with cerebral palsy, studied and completed a program at our Training Center in Portland. He was referred to DePaul Industries by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Vancouver, Washington. Nathan is motivated and made great strides in the several months he studied at the Training Center.

With the goal of earning a college degree while working on a part-time basis, a custom program was designed for Nathan. He focused on Word, Excel and PowerPoint, so that he could work in an office position that requires advanced computer skills.

Nathan likes the professional atmosphere that is part of an office setting, so he always wore a dress shirt and tie to the Training Center. Betsey Carrillo, Skills Training Instructor, describes him as “highly motivated and detailed in his work.” He is “very upbeat” and has a “can-do attitude,” she comments. Nathan’s professionalism and focus on his studies at the Training Center led to his current part-time employment —which was made possible through DePaul Industries’ Temporary Staffing Services—as a receptionist at the North Portland Branch of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Nathan’s motivation and determination to succeed is best evidenced by the creative manner in which he developed typing techniques to increase his speed, even though he used only three fingers on one hand, the result of his disability.

The doors opened wide for Nathan as a result of his strength, courage and great desire to succeed!