Charise Hilton Found a New Way to Give Back

For 20 years, Charise Hilton worked in retail management. During that time, she saw people with autism and the job coaches supporting them treated unfairly.

Those experiences ignited a fire inside of her.

“I just wanted to be a better voice,” Charise said. “I wanted to see if I could do something better.”

Charise had built a successful life with her husband, but she reached a point where success looked like something a little bit different. She wanted to use her experience to make a difference.

“If I could give back that opportunity to help people find successful employment and be that voice in the real world, with that real world experience,” she said.

That desire brought Charise to Easterseals Midwest.

She first interviewed for a position as a Direct Support Professional in the Day Program. She was open to any role that would let her give back and support people. Instead, she started as a Pre-Employment Instructor in the RISE program.

"Charise came to Easterseals with a willingness to learn, a desire to make a difference, and a heart for helping people see their potential," Abbie Whitney, Employment & Community Services Director, said. "She brought valuable real-world experience, but more importantly, she brought a passion for advocacy. She is deeply dedicated to our mission and to the individuals she serves."

Charise quickly found her strength in the work. Teaching and training had always been familiar to her from her years in retail management.

“I used to train new-to-role supervisors and new-to-role management,” she said. “That’s my comfort, just teaching and training.”

Today, Charise serves as a Pre-Employment Services Supervisor in Kansas City. Her work helps people with disabilities build skills and pursue successful employment.

Her path to Easterseals Midwest was shaped by what she saw in the workplace. Now, she uses that real-world experience to help create better opportunities for others.

For Charise, that is what meaningful work looks like: using what you know to give someone else a chance to succeed.