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by Winston Clements
In February 2025, Alison Kong stepped into a full time IRS mail clerk role through Bobby Dodd Institute’s AbilityOne contract. One month in, it was clear that this job was different to all her previous roles. The hours were consistent. The tasks were clear. The team was ready to help.
Getting there took grit. The hiring process was long, with paperwork at every step and an interview that pushed her comfort zone. Alison prepared with a job coach, kept detailed notes, and stayed organized. That persistence turned into a job offer covering the Plantation and Miami sites, and a daily rhythm she appreciates.
The work is practical and precise. Alison sorts non accountable mail that needs no signature, and accountable mail that does. She works across the workstation, the ServiceSource platform, the postage meter, the UPS computer, and the WIX computer. When a piece arrives with a missing name or mail stop, she becomes a researcher. She opens the envelope to find an identifier, routes it correctly, and when needed forwards it to another IRS center.
Supervisor Wilfred, and the team are always available to support, in big and small ways. When an unfamiliar military address came through, the Miami mailroom coached her by phone. When the USPS meter scale failed, Sylvie and another clerk stepped in so the line could keep moving. The team also respects life outside the office. Colleagues covered her schedule so she could attend a family event in Jamaica, and they accommodate her accessible transportation schedule.
Progress is visible. Alison is faster at sorting, more confident with the systems, and more comfortable asking for guidance when a rule is new. The tough cases now feel like puzzles to solve, not roadblocks. She enjoys the pace, the teamwork, and the satisfaction of sending each piece to the right destination.
Looking ahead, Alison’s plan is simple. Keep growing in the mailroom. The role fits, and the team fits too. For employers, Alison’s story is a reminder that inclusion is practical. Provide the tools, set clear expectations, and back people with a supportive culture, and the results will follow. “I feel steady here. The routine, the support, and the teamwork help me show up and do good work.”
