Meet Holly and Harry: Find Your Fit

Finding Your Fit: Supported Employment at Dreams With Wings

At Dreams With Wings, finding the right job isn’t just about work—it’s about independence, confidence, and community. Meet Holly Humfleet, Director of Supported Employment, and Harry Fouts, Dreams With Wings client and Sam’s Club taste-testing pro, as they share their journeys, the support that helps them shine, and what it really means to find your place—and maybe a few garlic beef bites along the way.

by Jessica De La Rosa (Creative Director)

Learn More About Supported Employment

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On a weekday morning, I make my way to the back of the enormous store and find tucked between the freezer aisles, a seemingly never ending stream of Sam’s Club shoppers are stopping to grab sample tastes off of a tray. Garlic beef bites are disappearing as fast as they can be replaced, and Harry is right where he thrives.

He greets customers with ease, answers questions confidently, and offers recommendations with a smile. He tells us that oftentimes shoppers recognize him and stop to say hello. Others linger for the food and leave remembering his name. Harry has been doing this job for nearly six years, and it shows.

Harry works for Tastes & Tips, the group that organizes and staffs the free sample stations at the familiar store. His role puts him front and center with members every shift—and he’s become a familiar, trusted face.

“These are some of the favorites,” Harry says, glancing down at the tray. “They go fast. People really like them.”

Harry was hired in February of 2020—just weeks before the world shut down. When things reopened, he returned in August of 2021 and has been here ever since. Today, he works with remarkable independence. He checks his schedule, arranges his rides, sets up his cart, and adapts to whatever part of the store he’s assigned that day.

“I set everything up myself,” he explains casually. “Put the garlic butter in the bottom, heat it up, make sure it’s the right temperature.”

“I like that the job changes,” Harry says. “One week I’m in the freezer section, another week I’m in dairy or the middle of the store. You never know.”

Supported employment at Dreams With Wings isn’t about filling openings—it’s about connecting people with opportunities where they can succeed, grow, and feel proud. It’s about helping each person find their place and flourish in it.

Holly, Director of Supported Employment, often describes it as acting like a personal job guide. “You get to know someone so well that you can say, ‘This would be a great match for you,’ or ‘This isn’t going to set you up for success—and that’s okay.’”

Some individuals need limited walking. Others shine in customer-facing roles. Some want consistency, while others—like Harry—enjoy variety and movement. The process starts with discovery, listening, and understanding how someone learns, what they enjoy, and what kind of support helps them do their best.

For example, Harry once worked at Walmart. “I didn’t want to leave, but my feet couldn’t handle it,” he recalls. His current position offers the accommodations he needs to succeed—like a stool and supportive mats—so he can work comfortably while still staying active and engaged.

The goal? Independence. Support is always just a call away.

“Harry, tell me—what do you like about having that relationship with Holly and Jennifer [another member of Harry’s SE team] when they help you with your job? How does that help you?” I ask.

Harry smiles. “When things come up, if it’s something I can’t handle or whatever, I call one of them.”

I nod. “Yeah, but you were saying, a lot of the time you can handle most of the stuff on your own?”

“Right,” Harry replies. “I don’t really need a lot of support most of the time, but sometimes, you know, you do. Everybody does.

Well, that’s a really good point.

Supported employment helps individuals advocate for themselves, sometimes speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, asking for accommodations, or gaining confidence in their role. Advocacy is always the mission, never making choices for the client. They specialize in helping communicate to their employer their needs, and that is tailored to the individual. Holly and her team don’t place someone and disappear. They keep showing up, checking in, and making sure clients feel supported and empowered.

“We always tell individuals: if you’re not happy, if this doesn’t feel right, you can tell us. We’ll talk through options, pros and cons, and make a plan. It’s not a no—it’s a conversation.”

By this point, I’m thinking I could have really used Holly in my early career.

As Harry hands out samples, someone familiar walks past his cart. Luckily, Nathan, Harry’s manager, happens to be walking by and Harry introduces us. Thankfully, Nathan was happy to be thrown into a surprise interview.

“Harry’s a delight to work with,” Nathan says. “He’s reliable, dependable, and always positive. We rely on him every Tuesday and Friday—and sometimes he even offers to work Saturdays. That positive attitude makes a difference—for coworkers and for customers.”

Holly smiles over to Harry and asks, “That’s got to feel good, huh? Hearing your boss talk about you like that?” Pride is beaming in her face.

Humble Harry nods with a small smile.

Collaborations with people like Nathan at Tastes & Tips are key to making these efforts work. Holly shares that Planet Fitness, Kroger, and TJ MAXX are among other places they’ve found successful working relationships, and we’re always looking for more.

But then, I get curious. It’s not uncommon to hear people say, “I don’t want to work,” or “I can’t wait to retire.” So, why is it so important to Harry?

“It makes me happier than being in the day program every day,” he says. “I like having something different to do.”

His job is part of his routine and pride, and he even encourages others to get involved.

“I tell my roommate he should get a job,” Harry says. “It’s good. You get out more. You meet people.” Then he adds, “Some jobs just aren’t the right match. Some jobs you’ve got to be able to handle customers. Supported employment helps people find something that works for them.”

Holly certainly found what works for her. She has been at Dreams With Wings for 19 years. It was her first job out of college—and it’s the one she chose to grow with.

“I love Dreams,” she says. “I love the clients. I love the staff. We’re a family here.”

Her path to this work started years earlier. When Holly was in high school, her mom used to tell her, “I see you working with people with disabilities.” At the time, Holly wasn’t so sure. She went to college for business, but found out quickly economics was not her fit, and eventually gave her mother’s prediction a shot.

She switched to special education (non-teaching) but still didn’t have a clear picture of what was next. Then she found Dreams With Wings.

“This work isn’t about money,” Holly says. “You do it because you believe in it. You choose it.”

After all, someone believed in Holly. “Jenifer [Frommeyer, Executive Director] always says our team works so well together, and that they’re amazing, and credits me,” Holly laughs, “but honestly, I credit Carolyn.” She’s speaking of Carolyn Bunton, DWW’s Enrichment Services Director and one of the leaders of the Adult Day Training program.

“She taught me, you know. And she recommended I become the director. I'm not under Carolyn anymore, but I still go to her for everything.” 

Sounds like a perfect fit, and honestly, sounds a lot like the journeys of the individuals that Holly supports on a daily basis. 

Supported employment depends on relationships—with employers willing to be open, coworkers who become natural supports, families and community members who see possibility instead of limitation.

Holly encourages people not to wait for a perfect moment.

“If you’re a business owner and you think, ‘We’ve got a few tasks that never get done,’ call us,” she says. “If you’re a family member and someone you love wants to work, reach out. If one agency isn’t the right connection, try another. This is not about competition. It’s about the client. We’re lucky in Kentucky because there are so many great agencies here.”

With at least another 10 agencies that Holly knows are doing great work, why stick with Dreams?

“That’s how it goes—you learn, you grow, and eventually you find the place where you fit. And I did. This is my fit.

I love our clients. I love our team. I love that this work is about people first—always. And that’s why I’m still here.”

Learn more about Supported Employment and other incredible opportunities for Dreamers of all ages on on our website.

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