4th Quarter Spotlight Award Winner - 2024
Danny Hawkins
Person-Centered Thinking Coach
Pathfinder Services
We are proud to announce Danny Hawkins as the recipient of our 4th Quarter Spotlight Award.
This award honors an employment support staff who goes above and beyond for individuals every day!
According to Phillip Rogers, Pathfinder Services, Danny excels in showing great respect and fostering trusting relationships with participants and employers. As a Person-Centered Thinking Coach, his dedication is evident in his work. Danny’s patience and unwavering attitude inspire others to strive for their best, knowing they have his full support. His extensive job knowledge enables him to effectively guide others through the employment and support process.
“Danny’s patience and unwavering attitude inspire others to strive for their best, knowing they have his full support.”
Danny supports individuals by meeting with them and their teams to build a strong support system, creating a firm foundation for their success. He spends time getting to know participants to uncover their skills, talents, and interests, which helps in developing their abilities for community employment. This includes a focus on soft skills, time management, and volunteering. Work experiences and situational assessments are also utilized to find the best job fit for seekers. Throughout this process, job seekers are fully involved, ensuring they have ownership of their learning and employment journey. Danny also emphasizes self-advocacy and basic financial budgeting, educating individuals on how to manage their money and save without affecting their benefits. Danny is exceptional at meeting employers where they are, identifying areas where they need assistance, and providing education and advocacy for individuals seeking independent employment in the community. He ensures that both employers and workers receive the support they need, including training and hands-on job coaching. This approach has fostered strong connections with employers, leading them to actively seek out candidates from our program to fill open positions.
Want to nominate an Employment Specialist for our Spotlight Awards? Check out our Awards page to nominate an amazing person supporting the employment of people with disabilities.