Meet Stephen and Crystal, two students from Montgomery County jumpstarting their careers through Humanim’s Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE). During their internships at CVS, both students broadened their horizons by building confidence, embracing discomfort, and discovering their strengths in a professional environment.
As a student at John F. Kennedy High School, Stephen was ready to experience employment and gain practical experience in the workforce. With the help of his coordinator, Edward, Stephen found the perfect fit at CVS. Since day one, Stephen made a strong impression on his supervisor and colleagues with his natural kindness and perfectionism!
Every single task Stephen received was done immaculately. When stocking and arranging shelves, he made sure to align each item neatly, and before ending each shift, he vacuumed the floor until it was in perfect condition. As a result, Stephen received raving reviews from the staff he worked under for the duration of the program.
Edward comments that Stephen “comes to work with a smile and feels very confident in the job he does tidying up the store. He demonstrates a lot of respect and gives his all to each task he’s assigned.”
With his positive attitude and sharp attention to detail, Stephen hopes to continue building his skillset through more employment opportunities.
Crystal, a student from Paint Branch High School, joined Humanim’s WBLE program back in March. Although her internship was a new experience, Crystal graciously accepted any challenge she faced, like breaking out of her comfort zone to connect with customers and assist them in any way she could.
Alongside customer service, Crystal mastered valuable skills to jumpstart her career, such as tracking inventories, multitasking and time management. Crystal’s colleagues at CVS would often praise her independence and go-getter attitude any time she took on a new task.
Her coordinator, Edward, comments that “Crystal’s biggest strengths is her calm demeanor and disciplined work ethic… She’s great with staff and customers because she conducts herself with poise and confidence.”
In fact, this sense of confidence combined with her stellar performance at CVS earned her an extension of the WBLE program through a grant! This grant is highly competitive and very few students are selected. However, Crystal’s reliability and performance made her stand out as a clear choice for the WBLE extension.
Humanim’s Youth Transition Services empower young adults with disabilities to believe that nothing is out of reach. If a participant shows interest in an opportunity, Humanim will support them in bringing their goals to fruition.
This encouragement from Humanim not only guides participants like Stephen and Crystal through experiences that may have seemed daunting before, but it also allows youth to discover a world of possibilities. Within that world, participants strengthen their own abilities and learn to embrace their true selves to shape their own futures.