Scott Simmons began his journey with Goodwill of Orange County 30 years ago. After a life-altering car accident left him without a job, Scott was uncertain about his future career path. Not long after, a woman at his church asked if he had ever considered working at Goodwill OC. To his astonishment, he was offered the job on the spot, and the rest is history.
Scott’s career with Goodwill OC started as a job coach on the Supported Employment Team. In this role, he worked side-by-side with individuals with disabilities at their worksites, providing support, training, and encouragement. The Supported Employment team helps individuals connect to jobs and advocates for their participants to give them the best opportunities.
His first onsite placement was at the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), where he supported four individuals. These individuals changed the course of his life. “The team at OCFA is the reason why I stayed at Goodwill OC,” Scott said with a chuckle. He will always have a special place in his heart for that team.
Over time, Scott’s roles within the Supported Employment department evolved, but he always found himself drawn back to the job coach role. He started as part of a small, eight-person team that grew into a team of over 100 people over three decades. “We as a team have kept that same family atmosphere here over the years,” Scott said.
The role of a job coach has taken Scott to many cities and different employers. He has had the opportunity to work at OCFA, Juvenile Hall, Camp Pendleton, local grocery stores, and more. Scott enjoys establishing and maintaining relationships with the participants and employers he works closely with. “When I’m working with an individual and that light bulb goes off or something clicks for them, that’s what it’s all about,” Scott exclaimed. He is also a reliable sounding board for his team members when they encounter roadblocks on the job.
One of the key factors in being successful at a job site is the job coach’s relationship with the participant. There needs to be a level of trust and reliability, which then works in tandem to maintain the relationship with the employer. “I think you have to have a servant’s heart to work here because if you don’t, it’s just a job. At times I’ve learned more from the participants because of their outlook on life. When I see the small progress in their lives, I can go home and put my head on the pillow at night and sleep a lot better.”
Scott’s dedication and passion to serve have made a lasting impact at Goodwill OC. His various roles have helped set the foundation for the leading nonprofit workforce development program provider in the county.
Thank you, Scott, for making a difference in the lives of so many participants over the last 30 years.
Learn more about Supported Employment and other programs at https://www.ocgoodwill.org/workforce-development/.
