As Alan Saionz approaches his retirement from KenCrest, he reflects less on job titles and more on the people who shaped his 27-year career in employment support, including the past six years at KenCrest. While his final day marks the end of a significant chapter, the true legacy of his work lives on in those whose first jobs, first paychecks, and sense of belonging in the community became possible because someone believed in them.
From the beginning, Alan, a Job Developer at KenCrest, understood that job development was never just about resumes or interviews. “It’s about meeting people from the very beginning,” he said. “Learning who they are, what their strengths and challenges are, and helping them use those strengths to succeed at work.” Now, as Alan prepares to retire on February 6th, his commitment to helping others find meaningful employment stands as a lasting legacy.
Over time, he came to see his role as part detective and part advocate, piecing together each person’s story and translating it into opportunity. But for many of the people he supported, confidence did not come easily. Stepping into the workforce for the first time can feel overwhelming, and convincing businesses to see potential rather than limitations is often just as hard.
Still, Alan held fast to one belief: everyone deserves a chance to belong. He emphasizes that everyone has unique qualities, and the real value lies in using our individual strengths to help each person succeed.
As years passed, the system around him changed. Funding tightened. Paperwork multiplied. Productivity demands grew heavier. Yet the heart of his work stayed the same: relationships with the people he supported and with the businesses that welcomed them.
One story in particular stayed with him. Years ago, Alan supported a young man on the autism spectrum who was fiercely independent and difficult to connect with. Trust was slow to build, and progress came in inches. Then, years later, their paths crossed again through KenCrest. This time, something had shifted. The young man sought out Alan’s guidance. He listened. He trusted.
“Now we have the best relationship,” Alan said. “He comes to me for advice, where before, that wasn’t the case.”
When asked for advice to someone new to the field, Alan doesn’t talk about systems or strategies. He talks about flexibility. About trust. About showing up, even when the work is hard. And as retirement approaches, he measures success not by numbers or placements, but by connection.
“I always cared about the people,” he reflected. “I may not have been the most talented job coach, but I always gave my best effort.”
He built the relationships, he says, that felt more like family than clients, full of shared frustrations, small victories, and growth on both sides. Looking ahead, Alan plans to travel and hopes to volunteer. But what he wants most is simple: to be remembered for how deeply he cared.
For the many individuals whose first uniforms, first paychecks, and first workplace friendships began with Alan’s guidance, his legacy is clear. Employment was never just about work. It was about dignity. It was about belonging. And it was about believing in someone before they believe in themselves.
Alan’s story reminds us that inclusion begins with a supportive act. As you reflect, consider: how can you help someone feel included today? If you’re inspired to make a difference and support others, perhaps your next step is to join KenCrest and be part of this meaningful work.
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