Every day our students are gaining more life skills on their path to independence so that they can get closer to achieving their goals and dreams. Max, Haroni, and Tariq are students who have high hopes and dreams for their futures. They have been successful in our programs and are in the workforce showing the public what’s possible. Our goal is that every one of our students can find that same success.
Max
When asked what having a job means to him, Max shared, “Independence and being with friends.” Working at the café has become a source of pride and happiness for him. Max shared he has learned a variety of skills, from cooking on the stove and doing laundry to serving baked goods which makes him feel proud. Max is involved in many different tasks at the café, including serving food, bussing tables, and food prep. His favorite part, however, is wiping down the tables and spending time with his friends. Max is passionate about cleaning and often asks to help with the dishes. Café manager Paloma describes him as genuinely happy and positive, always bringing a bright attitude to the team. Max’s enthusiasm for his work and his dedication to learning new skills make him an invaluable member of the café team. We are so proud of all of Max’s accomplishments and can’t wait to see him continue to grow at the cafe!
Haronie
Haronie has been job training at Mychal’s Print & Embroidery for over a year now. When he first started, he had difficulty fixing thread breaks, but with consistent practice and the help of staff member JW, he quickly perfected the skill. Today, fixing thread breaks has become one of his favorite parts of the job. Haronie has developed a strong passion for embroidery, enjoying tasks like replacing bobbins, changing thread colors on the computer, and tracing tape. JW, embroidery specialist, shared that Haronie originally started as part of the printing team, but after his first time in the embroidery station, he didn’t want to leave. JW also mentioned that Haronie often comes to double-check his work, even when it’s time to go back to The Path To Independence Program. Over time, JW has also seen Haronie become more social with his peers, a sign of his growing confidence. Haronie is excited about his progress and eager to continue growing, with his next goal being to improve his skills with the embroidery hoop and magnets. “Working makes me feel happy,” Haronie says, and it’s clear his enthusiasm and commitment to improvement are key to his success at Mychal’s. When asked what his dream job was, Haronie shared, “My dream job is to work at the print shop.” His passion for the work he does and his continuous growth make him an invaluable member of the team and we couldn’t be more proud of him!
Tariq
Tariq has been working at Chevron for almost two years and shared that his dream job is to work at Chevron. Tariq’s favorite thing to do at Chevron is mopping but he shared he also enjoys stocking shelves, breaking down boxes, and working the cashier. Tariq also shared his favorite part about having a job is making money, and he feels excited and happy every time he’s at work. When Tariq first started working at Chevron he would go twice a week with staff, Tariq now goes on his own three days a week and can do each task independently. Tariq takes pride in what he does and values the responsibility that comes with his role at Chevron. We are beyond proud of Tariq and are so happy he has his dream job!
