ASHLAND — When Jeffrey Hackworth was voted associate of the month by his co-workers at the Fairfield Inn, Cleo Howard considered it not only a tribute to the 38-year-old “public areas houseman” at the hotel but also to the program she manages through Pathways.

Howard is director of the supplemental employment program, which places intellectually challenged adults in jobs throughout the 10 counties in which Pathways operates, and Hackworth was hired by Fairfield through her program.

“I hope this award shows other employers that my clients not only are capable of doing a job but they are able to an excellent job,” said Howard. “I hope it encourages more employers to take a chance on the people we have in our program.”

Adam Hill, general manager of the hotel on U.S. 60 next to the Kyova Mall, said Hackworth is the first employee he has had through the Pathways program, but he says he would hire another “in a heartbeat” because of the positive experience he has had with Hackworth.

“Jeff is an excellent employee,” said Hill. “He shows up on time, is conscientious, knows what he is supposed to do and doesn’t wait around until he’s told to do it. He’s always looking for things to do.”

 “I didn’t give him this award,” Hill said. “His fellow workers did. They see what a good job he does, and they know how friendly he is and how hard he tries. Everybody likes Jeff. He’s easy to work with.”

Hackworth began his job at the hotel about a year ago by working parts of two days. He now works a total of eight hours a week over three days.

Howard said the hotel added the extra day on its own because Hackworth was doing such a good job.

“I  really like working here,” said Hackworth, a native of Boyd County and 1994 graduate of Boyd County High School.  “I enjoy what I do, and I am learning to do a lot of new things.”

Edward “Bud” Phillips Jr., who is in charge of hotel maintenance, is Hackworth’s immediate supervisor.

“He has taught me how to do a lot of things,” Hackworth said of Philips. “I now know how to change a showerhead, and I have helped fix toilets and air conditioners.”

Darrell Terry’s title with the Pathways program is employment specialist, but he calls himself a “job coach.” He works with employers in placing clients in jobs and helps place them in jobs they are capable of performing, both physically and mentally. He praised Philips for the way he has worked with Hackworth,

“Because Bud is so patient with him and such a good, easy-going teacher, Jeff is doing a lot of things some people did not think he was capable of doing,” Terry said. “I can’t say enough good things about Bud. I wish we had more people like him.”

Sometimes it takes several tries to find the right job for intellectionally challenged adults, as it did with Hackworth, Howard said. However, she said the Fairfield was a “perfect fit” for Hackworth and she praised the hotel for allowing him to work in his community.

Hackworth said he enjoys the people he works with at the hotel. “Dad tought me to treat people the way I want to be treated,” he said. “That’s what I do here and it works.”

Hackworth is not the only success story the supportive employment program has experienced. A few years ago the two rest areas on Interstate 64  between Grayson and Cannonsburg received an award for being the cleanest rest areas in Kentucky. Employees hired through the Pathways program did all the cleaning to enable the rest areas to win the award.

While Howard’s office is in Mount Sterling, she travels throughout the 10 Pathways counties working with employers who are willing to hire people in her program.

“We have a lot of good, capable clients who are eager to work,” Howard said. “If you give them a chance, you will be surprised at how much they can do.”

JOHN CANNON can be reached at jcannon@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2649.