Jason’s Journey

Jason has been working at the Dollar Tree store on North Fry Road for the past year and a half. At Dollar Tree, Jason works as a Stocker. He stocks the snack chips, soft drinks and paper items like paper towels, napkins and facial tissue. Jason also helps out with keeping the store clean as he cleans the shelves and the perishable items coolers and empties trash.

Recently, Jason started volunteering at Katy Christian Ministries in the food pantry. Jason says he loves to work and likes helping others.

When not at work, Jason loves to watch movies and go the church with his family.

Ron Taylor his Transition Specialist at ESGH says Jason is amazing to work with, ready to learn, on time and happy to be where he is appreciated.  Ron says he looks forward to his coaching days with Jason and that it reminds him of why he loves what he does for young adults with disabilities who want to enter the employment sector.

Ron Taylor, Easter Seals Greater Houston, Transition Program

Every Journey Begins with a First Step

Getting their first job is one of the biggest steps young persons make in their journey to adulthood. Recently, four young persons with disabilities made this step with the assistance of the Transition and Employment program at Easter Seals Greater Houston. Jason, Christopher, George, and Helmer came to Easter Seals Greater Houston by different paths, but they were all looking for the same thing, help with that big step toward employment and independence. 

Their paths to employment were different; George found a job two days after our Transition Program staff met him, the others took several weeks to several months to find the right fit in a job. Along the way they all found out what they are capable of doing and how hard they are willing to work to be successful. Their employers – Kroger, What-a-Burger, Dollar Tree and Food Town all report that they are very happy with their new employees. George even has customers asking for him when they shop at his store. Helmer’s employer is asking us if we have more people like him for them to hire.

All of us have had our first job. Some of those jobs we remember fondly, others not so fondly. But, we all learned valuable lessons that we carried with us to our next jobs. These four are learning those lessons now and will use that knowledge to continue to grow as they move forward in their careers.

Every journey begins with a first step. The Easter Seals Transition and Employment program can help make those steps lead to meaningful growth and a bright future.

Robert Williams, Director, Transition Program, Easter Seals Greater Houston