LONG BRANCH – Known as the “hardest working man” at his Arc of Monmouth group home, Jamie Kiernan is no ordinary Joe.
Born with the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome, Jamie, 33, has been living a very full life since he was born, according to his mother, Ginny Marasco.
Jamie works in housekeeping at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa and was recently commended for his 11 years of service at the hotel where he is admired and loved, according to Denise Thomas, manager of Marc Manor, the group home where Jamie lives.
“My favorite part of the job is working with the staff. I really love it there and I always get everything done,” said Jamie.
The Arc serves individuals with developmental disabilities, and Marc Manor is one of 10 group homes that the Arc facilitates.
“They love him at Ocean Place. He is considered the most dependable and trustworthy on staff and he is very receptive to additional hours. He actually loves to work on the holidays,” Denise said.
Jamie was Employee of the Month this past December and was given a plaque, a certificate, and a pizza party.
Clara Gary, Jamie’s supervisor at Ocean Place, said he is an excellent staff member.
“He does a wonderful job as A.M. [morning] laundry assistant, and if he could, he would work here every day of the week,” she said.
Clara said Jamie’s work routine consists of sorting through the linens that come down the laundry shoot, doing the washing, ironing and folding.
“Jamie is certified and trained in his job title just like everyone else, and he is a very hard worker,” she said.
“I was 28 years old when I had Jamie, and when he was born, the doctors were able to tell he had Down based on his features, but he had a very normal upbringing,” his mother explained.
“He had his two brothers Rick and P.J. there by his side, so Jamie was always included in activities with the other kids, whether it was basketball, tennis or swimming,” said Ginny.
When Jamie was 6 months old, he attended Early Interventions, one of the first programs available in the county for children with disabilities.
“He needed to be stimulated and exercised every day,” Ginny said.
She noted that Arc employment services assisted her son when he wanted to move forward in his work life and to expand his hours on the job.
“Jamie’s job coach through the Arc, comes in about two to three times a week to see him,” said Clara.
Denise said Jamie has lived at Marc Manor since 1996 and that he has a regular routine just like most people.
Jamie works mornings, and on his days off he usually goes on a preplanned outing with a staff member of the group home.
“He recently asked to visit ground zero in Manhattan so he could see the site of the World Trade Center, so we had someone take the train in with him,” said Denise.
Every Friday is pizza night with his mother and stepfather, and Jamie spends time every week watching wrestling on cable TV.
Jamie said that pizza is one of his favorite things to eat and that he loves watching movies.
“He is the most caring person. Last year, we had a funeral procession on our street, and the police had the street blocked off and Jamie went out and offered the police water. They later sent us a letter saying how nice it was for him to do that,” Denise said.
Jamie is the youngest resident at Marc Manor and Denise said he is a joy to have around.
“I tell him that there should be more ‘Jamies in the world, and he just laughs.”