A woman who has been searching for paid employment for eight years has finally been given a chance by Night ‘n Day Tahunanui.
Karlee Hughson was born with Down Syndrome. She, with some help from her mother Karen, has been searching for a job since she was 18. Karlee is now 26 and has just been offered her first opportunity in paid work.
Despite being a volunteer at Red Cross in Stoke for the past five years, she struggled to find someone to give her a chance.
Karen says there was a range of reasons why other companies couldn’t employ Karlee.
“Health and safety was one reason we were given, like if there was a fire, and I thought ‘but you’re going to check on your staff anyway, whether they have a disability or not’.”
However, after seeing a job advertised on Facebook at Night ‘n Day Tahunanui, Karen popped in with Karlee’s CV.
Owners Adrian and Cyrielle Olsson, also known as Frenchy, say they didn’t think twice after they met Karlee.
“Karlee - she comes, she’s bubbly, she’s happy to be here,” Frenchy says.
Karlee’s main role during her two three-hour shifts is to restock the drinks fridge and shelves.
“To be honest, it’s a big stress off us on Monday and Thursday to know that the fridges will be restocked, we’re so busy here that often staff don’t get a chance to restock,” Adrian says. “Monday and Thursday we just know they’re sweet.”
“I just feel that Karlee is valued and Adrian and Frenchy have given her a chance to be part of the community and feel that she’s part of a team," Karen says.
She says even if Karlee was sick, she would still want to go to work.
“Because she would be letting the team down, and letting Adrian and Frenchy down.
"That’s the type of person she is, she loves it so much.”
Karlee says in her spare time she enjoys art and swimming. She is also busy planning her wedding, but says she’s already picked out her dress. She says she really loves her job.
“And we love Karlee,” Frenchy adds.
