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Profile: Finding a Career Path

Brach Bissonette has been filling product orders with Green Mountain Electric Supply for two years. Known as one of the fastest “picker packers” in the team, his supervisor Shawn Pecor also commented on his well-rounded personality. “Brach is one of the most outgoing guys in the group. He’s a very great guy, and we are lucky to have him here.”

 

Two years ago, Brach participated in ReSOURCE’s Career Start and Career Path programs at the recommendation of his high school counselor, Robyn Schenk. In the few months Brach worked in Career Start and Career Path, Brach was a rising star. In Career Start, he tapped into his creativity by using wood materials to make beautiful pieces and he learned to handle large items such as doors and cabinets, and stacked delicate items such as plates and cups. His communication disorder did not stop him from committing to the program and building relationships with others.

 

He recalled, “My experience with ReSOURCE was real hard, my job was real hard. It was really good—the opportunities, and you know, getting to help a lot of customers. There were a lot of friends to support me, good people…” While the experience was not easy for Brach, he found the process to be fulfilling. “I feel hard at work—accomplishing things, I am a guy who wants to start on his future.”

 

According to Robyn, Brach’s communication style made it difficult for him to participate in regular academic settings. “He really wasn’t learning the things he needed to learn to be around people, to be productive, to be happy, to be proud of himself…So it was a good natural fit that he spent an hour every other day working and learning job skills, the rhythm of a job, and immediately he was so happy because he was doing it right….”

 

Robyn often recommends students to ReSOURCE training programs because of the growth she sees in students after their enrollment. As she says, “The programs take them out of a place where they feel a lot of shame or not good enough, into a place where they can shine and feel really good about what they are doing. It prepares them for their next step in life.”

 

Through Career Start and Career Path, Brach acquired the knowledge necessary to be a successful adult—including learning to pay rent, getting a driver license, and working in the store. As a full-time employee at Green Mountain Electric Supply, Brach is working to build his own future.

 

Robyn affirmed, “He’s great at what he’s doing now…. This is a gentleman who’s come so far in enjoying the world. He’s an integral part of the team where he works, and he loves to be part of that team and part of that success.”

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FAQs

What is Career Start?

Career Start is a program designed for high school students to gain hands-on experience and technical skills in various departments at ReSOURCE’s Burlington or Barre locations.

High school students enrolled in school are eligible to participate in the Career Start program.

The program provides hands-on experience in ReSOURCE departments, technical skills training, and monthly personal and professional development classes.

There is a fee of $1500, but tuition is waived for qualifying Vermonters.

Departments include Customer Service & Retail, Office Administration, Computers and Electronics, Overlook Cafe, and Large Appliances, among others.

Yes, students earn a monthly stipend

Training covers Health and Wellness, Goal Setting and Achievement, Leadership Development, Career Planning, and Financial Literacy.

Interested individuals should contact ReSOURCE’s Training and Development Manager, Susan Uthmann, for enrollment details.

Interested?

Please contact:

Susan Uthmann
Training and Development Manager
[email protected]
802.857.4340

Partner Agency List

Our partners help us to provide $125,000 worth of goods to over 2,000 individuals/families in Chittenden, Lamoille, and Washington Counties, and the greater Vermont area.

  • Addison Community Action/CVOEO
  • Age Well
  • Agency of Human Services- Field Services Burlington District
  • Burlington Community Justice Center
  • Burlington Housing Authority
  • Chittendent Community Action/CVOEO
  • Clarina Howard Nichols Center
  • Committee On Temporary Shelter
  • Essex Community Justice Center
  • Howard Center Community Support Program
  • Howard Center Developmental Services
  • Howard Center School Service Program
  • Lamoille Family Center
  • Milton Family Community Center
  • Pathways Vermont- Housing First Program
  • Pathways Vermont -services for veterans and families rapid rehousing program
  • ReSOURCE
  • Safe Harbor Clinic
  • Spectrum Youth and Family Services
  • Steps to End Domestic Violence
  • The Janet S. Munt Family Room
  • U.S. Committee for refugees and Immigrants
  • U.S. Committee for refugees and Immigrants
  • Vermont Cares
  • Vermont Catholic Charities
  • Vermont Foundation of Recovery

 

Become a Partner Agency

For interest in joining our program please email [email protected] to learn more about the next application cycle or any availability in become a new partner agency.

We make award decisions each December for the next calendar year and notify partners so our clients can request vouchers.

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