to the new job and absolutely loved it.  The library staff were just as pleased.  Head Librarian Shelley Williams praises Jim's work, "Jim is a good, hard worker, who always greets us with a smile and is always willing to help us out.  He's great!" 

   As of October, Jim has been on his job at the library for a year.  He continues to go above and beyond the call of duty, often checking on things after hours and even helping with snow clean up on his day off.  The job keeps him active and connected to people in the community and has given him a new lease on life.

   Jim’s life today is graced with a job he loves, the respect and affection of GCDS staff, the appreciation of his new friends at the library (who recently threw a birthday party for him!) and the continued presence of his old friend J. Ken, who  describes Jim as a man who “is always concerned about his neighbors and friends and is always willing to lend a hand."  And the community is graced by the kindness and conscientious dedication that Jim brings to the people in his life.

    Jim worked at the Coca Cola plant in Linton for 30 years at a job that was especially “carved” out for him to meet his specific capabilities.  That job was a constant that lended stability to his life.  So when the plant closed its doors, Jim was deeply affected.  Anxious and depressed, Jim had 9 months of meager unemployment benefits and no idea of what to do next. 

   Long-time family friend J. Ken Wright had been a support for Jim since 1989.  Head of the Linton Housing Authority, Mr. Wright had been instrumental in getting Jim in his apartment and on a budget.  He was aware of Jim’s situation and knew that Jim’s unemployment benefits were running out.  He knew Jim would need other resources in place if he were to survive.

   It was at this point that Four Rivers entered the picture.  Jim met with staff at Greene County Developmental Services (GCDS) and Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Karen Smith, and his life started to come together again.  GCDS staff assisted Jim in successfully applying for benefits that he was entitled to and set about to address the issue of his employment.  After 30 years of doing a job especially created for him, finding a new job to fill that void would be a challenge. And Jim was in his early 60’s.  Was employment even an important and appropriate goal for him?

   But a position at the local library became available which seemed to fit Jim to a T.  The job required familiar tasks that were similar to those he was used to doing at home and demanded only a few hours per week. The job match couldn’t have been better.  Jim quickly adapted

The Right Job at the Right Time