Ramah is proud to offer vocational training for people with disabilities through our camps and our National Ramah Tikvah Network. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2020, we present the first in a series of profiles of Ramah vocational education program participants.

In an economy where it is common for young people to switch jobs often, Aaron Rudolph has been fortunate to be employed at the same place for a decade. He works at the Walgreens distribution center in Windsor, Connecticut, not far from his lifelong home of West Hartford.

Aaron, 33, works in the department responsible for unpacking and sorting arriving merchandise to be sent out to Walgreens’ retail locations. Sometimes he helps out in the picking department, as well. He works four ten-hour shifts per week, occasionally putting in overtime as needed.

“We were extremely fortunate that almost 12 years ago Aaron was accepted to a Walgreens training program and subsequently hired,” explained Aaron’s mother Alison.

“Walgreens made a commitment that one-third of the employees at the distribution center would be people with diverse abilities. So there are about 300 such employees. As long as you can do the work, you are treated like everyone else,” Alison said.

Aaron continued to receive job support after he was hired to help ensure his success. With limited job opportunities for people with disabilities, Alison said she was extremely appreciative of Walgreens’ efforts to help her son meet his potential.

“I enjoy my work and the people I work with. They are friendly,” Aaron said. “Sometimes things get hectic, especially when there are technical issues. You have got to have good counting skills and be aware you are working the right item.”

Despite holding down a regular job, Aaron makes the time every summer to return to work at Camp Ramah in New England. He saves up some of his vacation time so he can spend a week or two at camp doing the jobs he enjoys there, such as delivering mail and lost & found items, and doing food preparation. Ramah has been part of Aaron’s life for 20 years, and he couldn’t imagine not maintaining ties.

“I enjoy the work and the people at camp,” Aaron said.

Alison credits Ramah’s vocational educational program with helping to prepare her son to succeed at his job with Walgreens. “He learned to have a work ethic, be disciplined, how to interact with people, and to help people — basically to understand the concept of customer satisfaction,” she said.

In return for Walgreens’ commitment to him, Aaron has made a commitment to doing his best work for the company.

“I’m most proud that Aaron has maintained this job for 10 years with no complaints. He’s sticking with it,” Alison said.

- Renee Ghert-Zand

Aaron Rudolph: A Decade and Counting