For many, going to the grocery store is just another chore. But for Andrew, it’s a place to thrive, prosper, and build lasting connections through his work at Roots Market. Andrew is a participant in our Supported Employment program who started his role at Roots Market in 2019 and has since become the store’s star employee!
In his position, Andrew is responsible for organizing the store’s inventory, unloading new shipments and stocking frozen food and grocery products. Every day when he clocks in for a shift, he performs his tasks with immense care and passion, excelling beyond his regular job duties.
If anything malfunctions, he knows how to get it up and running, and if operational issues in the store arise, he communicates promptly and helps find a solution. Maureen, Humanim’s Manager of Developmental Disabilities Employment Services describes Andrew’s work ethic and attitude as “always upbeat, positive, and adaptable.” Both Maureen and Ari, The Store Manager at Roots Market, agree that Andrew never calls out of work and shows up on time for every single shift.
“Andrew not only sets an example, he sets an expectation beyond the standard. Every new employee he meets gets blown away by him,” Ari shares.
Thinking back to when he first started working at Roots Market, Andrew remembers the support he received from his coworkers as he learned new tasks. Now, Andrew pays the team forward by guiding new employees in the same way. He shares that he’s happy to be at a point where he “know(s) more things and can help find things for people” easily throughout the store.
Andrew is not only flourishing professionally, but his family has also noticed personal growth as well. His mother, Debbie, notes, “he’s more independent and happier to feel like he’s contributing and doing something worthwhile.” She’s grateful to Humanim’s staff for making Andrew’s vocational journey easy and helping him find a place where he can learn and grow in a position.
His success at work gives Debbie a “sense of knowing that Andrew is very capable and can do just about anything.”
In the future, Andrew sees himself continuing to work at Roots Market. Now that he’s mastered organizing the frozen food and grocery sections, he hopes to grow into a Roots Market expert! Mastering each and every department in the store and supporting anyone in need of assistance.