Goodwill of Orange County’s partnership with Oakley has been an amazing journey of growth and inclusion over the past 16 years. The evolution from a subcontractor arrangement and partnership with Goodwill OC’s Supported Employment program transformed into a thriving direct hiring initiative with Oakley. The Supported Employment team helps individuals with disabilities connect to jobs and advocates for their participants to give them the best opportunities.
For more than a decade, Dan, Thai, and Ngoc have been blossoming in their careers at Oakley, playing vital roles in the company’s manufacturing initiatives. Dan is solely responsible for packing resin into barrels, a crucial task for Oakley’s production process. Thai and Ngoc, both assemblers, play vital roles in organizing and preparing materials for production, ensuring smooth operations.
Kelli Tosti, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing for North America Operations, said, “We definitely believe that everyone has the opportunity and the chance to be independent, contribute, perform and do a job that makes them feel good about themselves, while also contributing to the needs of the company.”
When Dan started his job, he had very little experience with computers. “When I first started in this area, I didn’t know how to work on the computer,” Dan says. Now he is a fast typist, even if he looks at the keys every now and then. He loves what he does and takes pride in his everyday tasks.
Thai said, “I’ve worked here for 11 years, and I love my job. My job coach helped me a lot and with anything I needed. My family is so happy I got this job.”
Oakley has gone above and beyond to ensure these team members feel like valued members of their family. They enjoy all of Oakley’s team member benefits, including participation in company events, parties, and access to employee store perks. This inclusive approach extends to our Supported Employment management team, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation.
Rebeca Aquique, Vice President of Supply Chain for Oakley, said the three men are always smiling, working hard, and striving to learn. She said they’re part of the Oakley family and role models for their peers, leadership, and management. “They show up to work, they want to learn, and they are consistent in terms of attendance and punctuality.”
We are incredibly proud of this partnership and the positive contributions the Goodwill OC team has made toward Oakley’s success. Together, we continue to build a brighter future, one where everyone has access to meaningful career opportunities.
To learn more about hiring from Goodwill OC and to be a part of stories like this, please visit ocgoodwill.org/hire-from-goodwill.
