His problem had nothing to do with his work ethic or experience
– he’d worked for years at places like The Home Depot and even
managed a U-Haul rental company.
By Corey Dahl
A few months ago, Jerry Rundgren was having a hard time finding
a job.
His problem had nothing to do with his work ethic or experience
– he’d worked for years at places like The Home Depot and even
managed a U-Haul rental company.
Rundgren, a 42-year-old, couldn’t find work because he’s
mentally ill, suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder and a host of physical ailments.
“If I told somebody the truth on an application, nobody paid
attention to me,” he said. “I don’t think anyone got passed those
particular conditions to even look at my application.”
But Rundgren eventually found help through the S.T.A.R. Reach
Clubhouse, an Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network program that
helps adults with mental illness develop life skills and enter the
workforce.
The clubhouse’s transitional employment program gives
participants the chance to work part time for local employers who
have signed on to the program, including the City of Littleton,
Barnes & Noble booksellers and Clear Spring Pharmacy.
Participants get on-the-job training and experience before moving
on to find a permanent position through the clubhouse’s independent
employment program, which helps with resume development and
interview techniques.
“It’s a great way for our members to sort of get their feet back
in the workforce without a lot of pressure,” said Jamie
DeBartolomeis, spokesperson for the mental health
network.
Pressure was the last thing Rundgren needed when he started the
transitional employment program.
Rundgren hadn’t worked since 2002, when the death of his father,
mounting student loans for an unfinished degree from DeVry
University, and a back injury caused his ADHD to spiral out of
control
“My ADHD exploded, and I just couldn’t cope,” he said.
Rundgren was able to ease back into the workforce by accepting a
part-time job working with the city of Littleton’s Fleet Services
Department. Performing duties ranging from filling up police
vehicles’ gas tanks to running to Golden for car parts, Rundgren
said the job was difficult at first, but he eventually learned to
handle it.
“It was hard to remember where everything was for the first
couple, three weeks,” he said. “But, now, when I get home from
here, there’s just this fulfillment level. I feel so
important.”
Rundgren has done such a good job that the city has decided to
hire him on permanently as a part-time fleets parts assistant. Alan
Brown, the city’s fleet manager, said Rundgren’s help has been an
asset in a department that’s constantly searching for
staff.
“We always need the manpower,” Brown said. “We’d be happy if
Jerry chooses to stay with us forever. But, even if he doesn’t, the
fact that he’s a regular employee with the City of Littleton should
help him down the road.”
Becoming a permanent employee also will give Rundgren, who has a
wife and two sons in their 20s, access to benefits such as
insurance and a small salary increase. But Rundgren said the best
part has nothing to do with money.
“The best part for me, of being here, is that somebody was
actually willing to tell me, ‘Hey, we’re willing to let you try,'”
he said.