Kathy Staude

Kathy Staude spent more than 30 years working at Vocational Services Inc. (VSI)–Sheltered Workshop earning a subminimum wage.

In June of 2017, she made the big decision to change her life and explore competitive employment. Kathy chose Life Unlimited, Inc. – Employment Services to be the service provider.
When Kathy needed to take ‘baby steps’ into competitive employment, DMH funding was instrumental in providing service units for prevocational classes and supported employment for a Life Unlimited training position. Prevocational classes taught Kathy people skills for the workplace, built her confidence and ultimately her self-esteem, and equipped her to enter competitive employment.

Kathy participated in work based training position at Life Unlimited to learn office and receptionist skills, and to earn a minimum wage while training.

Kathy’s reading skills were limited when she began working with Employment Services, so connected her with a reading program through Literacy KC. She made the decision to enroll in and has been attending classes for over a year.

Today, Kathy works for Greater YMCA of Kansas City as a child care attendant, and has retained this job for over a year. Life Unlimited Employment Services utilized vocational rehabilitation funds to provide job placement, job coaching and an opportunity to gain meaningful employment.