Opal Barnes & Jason
Opal Barnes is a Job Coach in MillarRich’s Supported Employment Department. Her client Jason had some huge wins from the time they started working together, becoming more independent, more confident, and taking on several new challenges. Shout out to Opal, Jason, and the whole Supported Employment department— we are so proud to hear about your successes! Read what Opal wrote about Jason here:
Jason, a lively 29-year-old chap living with his loving parents, faced a bit of a rough start. His journey at Wilson County Empower Me Day Camp wasn't a success and he was a bit tight-lipped. That said, during our Exploration service together, Jason truly shone like a star. I've seen him ace a baseball game, demonstrating focus, patience, and teamwork like a pro. And guess what? He even independently ordered food at Taco Bell!
Sure, he was a bit shy at first, answering all my questions with "I don't know", but he soon found his voice and started sharing. We soon realized that there were a few skills Jason needed to hone, and so the adventure continued. His parents were super supportive and started assigning him chores at home.
While I was on medical leave, Jason embarked on a new journey as a volunteer at the Wilson County Community Help Center. And let me tell you, he was amazing! His communication skills improved leaps and bounds, and his determination was truly inspirational. He mastered sorting and hanging clothes, and he even started using polite phrases when moving around people.
The icing on the cake was his recent connection with Rachel, another volunteer from Seattle, and his quick adaptation to seasonal clothing changes at the help center. Now, he signs in all by himself and even puts on his shoes independently. I can't tell you how proud I am of his progress and I'm absolutely confident that he's on the right path to achieve his dream job at his local Sports Academy store. It's been an absolute delight getting to know Jason and witnessing his journey towards independence. Keep rocking, Jason!
