Impressing on the Press

The Daily Herald is the third-largest newspaper in Illinois. It has a circulation of more than 90,000 and prints roughly a dozen different publications. The sheer amount of paper coming off the printing press is overwhelming. But not for Justin. 

Justin has excelled as a bundle catcher and line worker since starting work at the Daily Herald’s printing center in October. He is responsible for getting all the product off the press and palletizing the bundles while ensuring the quality and counts are accurate and taking the load to the supervisor. 

It can be a fast-paced job that requires focus and attention to detail, and that has turned out to be exactly what Justin can bring to the table. 

“He is a quick learner and a great worker,” said Don Stamper, Production Director for Daily Herald Media Group. “He only needed a job coach here a few times but it didn’t take long for him to work on his own. And now he’s working eight-hour shifts, three days a week.”

 Justin was able to come across the opportunity in part because of his work with Chris Lucente, an Employment First Job Developer at Little City. Unlike many of the commonly seen opportunities in fields such as food service and retail, the Daily Herald position required a more unique skill set that Chris said Justin fit perfectly.

 His outgoing personality, ambition and independence led to him being a perfect candidate for the job, Chris said. Even in just his few months on the job, he has already impressed the president of the company during their conversations at the holiday party. Don said Justin’s personality is a morale booster for the whole team. 

“Justin is a really outgoing guy and an easy-going guy,” he said. “He’s quite a character and great to have here.” And Justin isn’t the only one in his family impressing in community employment. 

His brother Daniel, who went through Little City’s Employee Development Services program, also was placed in a community job this past September at Uncle Julio’s Hacienda in Kildeer. Justin said he is proud of what he and his brother have accomplished and loves the job he found. 

“I love my job,” Justin said. “The people here are so easy to get along with. Sometimes we crack jokes and sometimes we are serious but I like working with everyone.”