Meet Donovan, not only an alum of our Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE) program, but a fabulous member of our City Seeds Kitchen serving the Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Donovan is the first participant of our program to be accepted into the University of Maryland, College Park! Through UMD’s TerpsEXCEED program, Donovan will participate in the college experience for two years, ultimately earning a certificate beginning this fall. Donovan is particularly excited about attending UMD for the chance to attend their basketball games, as he himself was a star player for his high school team, Joppatowne High School.
Donovan joined our WBLE program in 2022 when he discovered it through one of his special educators. From the start, Donovan was determined to make the most of this opportunity. He credits Ms. Tasha and Humanim’s Youth Transition Services staff for guiding him every step of the way as he navigated through the program to find the right internship.
Through the program, Donovan gained practical skills that he can easily apply in any future career. He also learned to work effectively in groups, operate independently, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Donovan’s grandmother describes him as “self-motivated” and “never afraid to do things on his own,” two traits that naturally prepare him for any professional challenges he may face.
Among his various internships, Donovan found his calling at the City Seeds kitchen, where he began working in food services. Preparing meals for the cadets of the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, Donovan quickly adapted to the role and found it to be a perfect fit. Initially, he faced challenges with tasks like sweeping and mopping, but with his coworkers’ guidance, Donovan learned to perform these duties effectively. His perseverance paid off when, after just a few weeks of interning, he was offered a permanent position.
Donovan’s mother recalls the moment City Seeds recognized her son’s potential. “Donovan only started working there, but after a month, they wanted to hire him permanently,” she proudly shares. She firmly believes that programs like Humanim’s are crucial for helping youth with disabilities identify their strengths and find suitable career paths early on. “Humanim made it possible for Donovan to find a good fit,” she explains.
His grandmother adds, “Donovan has never let his disability stop him. He is willing to trust his family and colleagues to guide him when he doesn’t understand something.”
Donovan’s journey demonstrates that nothing is impossible with focus and determination to achieve any goal. His advice to other participants in the WBLE program is “just stay focused and understand that this will benefit you in the future.” He hopes to inspire other youth to stay committed to their education and believe in their own power.
As we celebrate Donovan’s acceptance into UMD, we look forward to seeing him continue to achieve great things. We are honored to be a part of his story and look forward to witnessing his continued success.