Two years ago, American Jewelry and Loan became the first BETA Test site in Metro Detroit for a program that was focused on hiring, educating, and empowering individuals on the Autism spectrum.
“When we first found out about this opportunity, there was no hesitation–we have a need for talented skilled workers who can keep our ecommerce store running. This program fills that need efficiently and effectively” said Les Gold, owner of American Jewelry and Loan. Now two years later, all of the participants in the program remain an important part of our team and have grown in their roles individually and collectively, working almost every day to not only list items to our ecommerce store but also to process our technology inventory such as laptops, tablets, and game systems.
Through this partnership, American Jewelry and Loan is able to add staff to their team from a previously untapped workforce–individuals who are affected by autism. “When I leave work every day, I feel fulfilled, independent, and needed” Les said “now, thanks to this program, we’re able to provide that same pride to an entirely new population who might otherwise be unemployed, under-employed, or marginalized” he added.
“We were the first business to test this model–and if we have been able to make it happen in the back of a pawnshop, then I believe that literally any business can take advantage of this same opportunity” said Seth Gold, who oversees the ecommerce department for the store.