The Iowa Self-Employment (ISE) program was able to help David with counseling and guidance, computer and equipment and benefits counseling to begin his new endeavor. “It makes me happy that other people appreciate what I’m doing.” Every day I get to get up and do what I love,” he said. The drawings are highly detailed and he said he enjoys switching over to painting for a change of pace – or even working on the website.Īll-in-all, David loves his second career. “I am amazed they believed in me,” he said.ĭavid has drawings and paintings. David’s website and online art gallery launched in December 2022. ![]() I said I’m going to do that.”Īfter working with IVRS Counselor Brandi and Kochell Weber- Ricklefs Business Development Specialist with the Iowa Self-Employment Program he said everything fell into place. “She said, now you’ve got to do something with this David. She admired an owl drawing and David drew one for her before she passed away three years ago. He remembers the bird he drew when he first moved to Iowa and she gave him a pencil and paper. His mother was a lifelong fan of his work. “I always came back to drawing,” he said. David did a lot of interesting things – lifting weights, competitive body building, martial arts and modeling In high school he was encouraged to go to art school. His first prize for a drawing was a wagon when he won a contest sponsored by a local weather station. Sally was impressed and his counselor Brandi, seeing real talent, began exploring self-employment.ĭavid had been drawing all of his life and had received encouragement from his mother and teachers when he was in school. He was talking with Sally Leibold with Older Workers Employment Program (OWEP) and at one point shared his artwork. He initially stated an interest in working as a delivery driver or doing janitorial or maintenance work. “We kept the flame going.”ĭavid Kafar started working with Counselor Brandi Fitch in January 2021. “At Voc Rehab we find what the potential can be and Tevin lived up to the possibilities,” Faulkner said. But Faulkner was able to see what sparked his interest and begin a journey toward a successful educational experience and career. When Tevin first came to Iowa he was timid and afraid to pursue a higher education because of his struggles in high school. “His passions and skills allow him to make connections in the community,” Faulkner said. Tevin also enjoys being involved with Renaissance Fairs and he and his father built a forge to make armor and swords used at those events. ![]() He’s been working on cars and I see him at car shows.” Tevin’s interest in welding has also led to involvement in many new community activities.įaulkner said, “This is a young man I run into a lot. “They have taken good care of him,” Faulkner said. He currently has a welding position at the Raymond Corporation in Muscatine. Counselor Faulkner also worked with Tevin to find employment opportunities in his area. His welding instructor Chris Kramer provided job leads and helped Tevin prep for welding tests as part of company interviews. “This helped me to get a fresh start after high school, realize my potential, and achieve my goals!" Tevin said. Tevin completed his coursework to become a welder with a high GPA even while attending during the Covid Pandemic. “With those partnership opportunities at Muscatine Community College, it did work well.” Faulkner, having similar interests as Tevin, located books and materials that made reading interesting and entertaining for him instead of a chore.Ĭounselor Faulkner said. Dave Carson worked one on one with Tevin tutoring him in adult literacy. Muscatine Community College had a welding program but Tevin was concerned that “reading issues” might interfere with college.Ĭounselor Faulkner partnered with Dave Carson, Adult Education and Jill Holler, Disability Services Coordinator with Muscatine Community College in getting accommodations, planning next steps, and receiving help with adult literacy. My biggest worry was that the flame would go out.” Counselor Faulkner said, “I wanted to keep that flame going. Tevin indicated that high school had not been a good experience for him but learning knife-making sparked an interest in welding. ![]() Tevin Haugen had just moved to Iowa when he began working with IVRS Counselor James Faulkner. ![]()
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