Winning at work: Opportunity Center grad finds job fulfillment at Win-River

When Daniel Perez got hired by Win-River Resort & Casino, his co-workers at the Opportunity Center (OC) were happy for him, but also sad to lose a quick worker known for helping his team members and keeping work fun. 

“They would love to have me on their crew, because I get the job done,” Perez said of his friends in the OC, a job-training program for adults with disabilities. “I always come in with a great mood and maintain everything well. I enjoy working with all the guys, with my job coaches and my peers.” 

Now a full-time Win-River staff member, Perez has worked as both a housekeeping attendant and a maintenance technician, trimming landscaping near the casino’s entrance, fixing pipes, picking up trash and keeping the grounds beautiful. 

He feels like he has successfully graduated from the OC after working 16 years in the program. It has provided job skills, training and experience to Shasta County adults with disabilities so they can transition into outside jobs. 

Perez remembers coming to the OC as a much quieter person who “kind of stuck to myself,” he said.

“When I was with the OC, they taught me how to open up and be more assertive. A lot of folks were looking up to me, and looking for guidance, and I helped them,” he said. 

Previously, Perez had long worked night shifts perfecting skills like waxing floors and shampooing carpets. Over time at the OC, he ended up training others. 

“I was explaining to the job coaches how it works, and how to make it look good by the end of the night,” he said.