October 2018 – CORE E-Newsletter
Jason Roberts
Often, stigmas and misconceptions are attached to recovering addicts. Many employers tend to overlook them as potential job candidates. Jason Roberts is a local employer who regularly hires CORE clientele. Jason is the owner of the Downing Street Pour House in downtown Hollister and Gettin’ Basted in Branson. He is originally from Springfield, Missouri and started up his business alongside some of his long-time friends and coworkers.
Jason first learned about CORE when he began working with some CORE clients at I-Tech. “I started to learn more about the organization, and I really liked what they did and what they stood for,” said Jason. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people, and I hate seeing when someone makes a few mistakes and they are immediately swept aside by society.”
For Jason, this issue hits on a personal level as well. “My brother passed away from a drug overdose and that really hit home for me,” said Jason. “He didn’t want help, but these people do. I believe in helping those who understand they need help and are actively seeking it.”
Jason discovered his chance to help when he took over the Downing Street Pour House and found himself needing to hire on staff. He got in tough with Adam Yorty, a former CORE client and previous coworker, and hired him as the chef.
“We wanted to really focus on the quality and taste of our menu and Adam was the perfect choice,” said Jason. “He has become a vital part of our restaurant and developed many of our signature dishes.”
Downing Street Pour House just recently celebrated their one-year anniversary and business is booming! They have become famous for many of their decadent specialty burgers like the Black & Blue, which has caramelized onions, blue chees, bacon, and blackberry sauce.
Adam was just the beginning of hiring CORE clientele. When looking to fill an open position, Jason checks to see if CORE has any clients they believe will be a good fit. “I think I have hired at least 25 people from CORE since we opened the Downing Street Pour House,” said Jason. “Having someone that believes in them and is willing to place their trust in them, means the world to these people.”
CORE asked Jason if there was anything that really stood out to him about the staff hired from CORE, or if anything set them apart from other workers. His response: “Not really. If I’m being honest, there’s nothing different about them as workers, compared to anyone else,” which is exactly the point. CORE clients are like everyone else. They’ve made mistakes in life, they are trying to move forward, and they want a chance to start over, to be productive citizens just like everyone else.
“We’ve all made mistakes, but our past isn’t what defines us,” said Jason. “People will often surprise you if you just give them a chance to show you what they can really do.”
We are so grateful for people like Jason who can see past the labels, stigmas, and prejudice and can see people as they are: Human beings, children of God, and people worthy of a second chance in life. At the end of the day, we are all fighting our own battles, so why not reach out and help someone with theirs?