Meet Darius
Darius’s passion for trains started early—around the age of 3—and it has been a constant source of joy in his life. This summer, he took an Amtrak train ride from California to New Orleans, reflecting his lifelong enthusiasm for trains. Darius loves running his train simulator, playing video games like Mario and Ratchet & Clank, as well as bowling and swimming. Café manager Paloma shared that Darius always comes in with a positive attitude and is excited to get started each morning. His curiosity and eagerness to learn are particularly evident when it comes to cooking. As his mom shares, “Darius is always curious about what’s happening in the kitchen. He loves seasoning the food and learns from observing the reactions of others.”
Darius joined Mychal’s Learning Place’s After School Program back in 2010 and is currently in our Path To Independence program. Recently, he has embarked on job training at Mychal’s Café. Since starting at the café, he has shown remarkable growth, including increased self-confidence, a willingness to try new things, and improved social interactions. His mom notes, “Darius has grown so much in terms of believing in himself and applying the lessons he’s learned. He stays focused, follows instructions, and completes tasks with dedication.”
At Mychal’s Café, Darius enjoys applying the skills he’s learned, and his positive attitude is evident. His goal is to become more independent and be able to to do food prep like cutting chicken and peeling eggs on his own. Paloma shared “We started showing Darius how to prep cutting chicken and eggs, he’s mastering them very quickly!” We are so excited to see Darius continue to grow and achieve his dreams with us!
