Pesky Pays Off
By Melanie Mowry EttersWalter Burks is enjoying learning the intricacies of providing exterminating services to customers in Palm Beach County since joining Cunningham Pest Control. Last fall, Burks kept bugging his Hab Center employment coach Maryellen Jones to help him find a job that he could turn into a career. He had tried several other jobs and hadn’t found one he wanted to keep long-term. Jones was able to find a great opportunity when Scott Cunningham needed some help with his pest control business. She knew that Burks and Cunningham would be a good fit. Burks wanted a job that could become a career and also to have a mentor, while Cunningham need a helper to work with him. Burks works between 20 and 30 hours a week.
Burks said, “I am a hands-on person. I like to get along with our customers and I like my boss. That is why I am so excited about my job.”
Employment Services Program Coordinator Maryellen Jones said, “Walter working with Scott is a win-win situation. Walter wins because he has a great job with responsibility with an employer he likes, and Scott wins because he has somebody to help him with his business who is young and eager to learn and eager to work.”
Burks has a disability and receives services through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
They work well together and Burks has learned many life skills. He is looking for an apartment close to the Boca Raton Hab Center and Cunningham Pest Control to create a well-rounded life for himself.
Cunningham Pest Control was named a 2017 Florida Exceptional Employer of the Year with the award being presented at Tallahassee City Hall.
Jones said, “Walter is very proud that Scott won this award because he admires and respects Mr. Cunningham.”
Cunningham said, “I'm happy to have Walter with me because I can't do this work all by myself, plus I think it's good karma to help others.”
Burks said, “I am a hands-on person. I like to get along with our customers and I like my boss. That is why I am so excited about my job.”
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