Montefiore gains kitchen hand
"When I asked him if it was worth it, he told me that for 10 years he has wanted to be a kitchen hand, and no one has ever given him the opportunity, until now."
IN a true win for community collaboration, Michael Karseboom has started his job as a kitchen hand at Montefiore in Randwick.
The J-Jobs Program, through JewishCare NSW, facilitates customised employment for young adults in the community with intellectual disabilities and – after more than 12 months of planning, preparing and overcoming some delays due to COVID – Karseboom finally began his career.
Montefiore serves over 500 meals a week and Karseboom’s job is crucial to ensuring that fresh salad is prepared and portioned for every meal. All of Karseboom’s tasks have been customised according to his skills and abilities, and he is being supported for the next six to eight weeks while he learns the routines and requirements of his role.
Montefiore has made all reasonable adjustments to ensure Karseboom settles in well and succeeds. These include starting at 9.30am to accommodate his travel time, altering the uniform so Karseboom can change easily when he gets to work, and allowing him regular short breaks to ensure he keeps his energy levels up.
From the moment Karseboom arrived, he was welcomed by the director of catering and the head chef and made to feel a valued member of the team.
With the help of a task list and a photo journal of him doing each task (prepared by J-Jobs), Karseboom can carry out all his duties with excellence.
Getting to and from work requires a huge commitment as Karseboom travels 90 minutes each day by train and bus to get to work, and after his four-hour shift he travels the same distance home.
J-Jobs program manager Shelana Silver said, “When I asked him if it was worth it, he told me that for 10 years he has wanted to be a kitchen hand, and no one has ever given him the opportunity, until now.”
“He feels valued and part of an important team. He uses his time on the train and bus to read, listen to music and he snacks before work starts.”
JewishCare CEO Gary Groves said, “We acknowledge Montefiore and thank them for their support of the J-Jobs Program, and The Choice Foundation for making it possible to change lives.”
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