JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 'Hands on at Hyatt' program was created more than 25 years ago as a state-funded job training opportunity for those with disabilities.
“This is a partnership and it's not just because of one person or one group. It’s a public-private partnership with the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation funding programs like ours and wonderful business partners like Hyatt and coming together and staying laser-focused on the mission and the people we serve," Hands-on Education Services Program Director, John Ficca said.
Jimmy McGuire Jr. joined the program back in 2014.
"I was working with the VR counselor I had talked to them about work trying to find a way because I was interested in cooking. So in 2014 I found out about training they did at the Hyatt I did some training here and was very interested in it," McGuire said.
The Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville was just as interested in McGuire and what originally was a several-week training program turned into full-time employment for McGuire.
“For people in employment roles like me they go out into the community you have these dreams that you want to happen and you have these passions that you love so you have to go for them," McGuire said.
Now 8 years later, McGuire is cruising up the ranks in the kitchen and being recognized by the City of Jacksonville Mayor's Disability Council.
“Chef let me know there was an award for me out of the blue, I was speechless. I was like okay sure I’ll take it. They're very impressed they know that I can do the things I need to do. It doesn’t matter whether you're hearing or deaf and I want to make the deaf community see that they can do the same thing.”
To learn more about the Hand on at Hyatt program click here.