Up for the Challenge: Aiden’s Story

The youngest of six children, Aiden is a college student who loves being outdoors, enjoys bowling and has a black belt in Taekwondo. A member Phi Theta Kappa, he currently possesses an impressive 3.9 GPA. Aiden came to employU looking to gain more work experience. Though he had previously participated in several Work Based Learning Experiences (WBLE’s), Aiden and his mother both felt that Aiden wasn’t being challenged enough in his previous experiences. Aiden wanted a chance to show his full potential in the workplace.  

As soon as Employment Specialist, Chris, met Aiden, he saw that Aiden was an intelligent, gifted young man. Aiden was scheduled for an interview with Jackie Lytton, the worksite supervisor at Citrus County Chronicle for a WBLE.  He started his WBLE at the Chronicle shortly afterward. Aiden worked as an “Administrative Support.” His main duties consisted of restocking office supplies, relocating leftover newspapers into the recycling area, and preparing mail-out flyers. 

As the weeks progressed at the Chronicle, Chris noticed a change in Aiden’s behavior. Aiden began to demonstrate more confidence and slowly started to come out of his shell.  Aiden’s work performance also left quite an impression on the staff at the Chronicle. During Chris’s routine visits to the worksite, Jackie would frequently share positive feedback and her staff’s experience when interacting with Aiden. Before Aiden could complete his work training at the Chronicle, he received another referral and requested to complete a second work training at the Chronicle. Jackie and the Chronicle staff were very excited that Aiden would have the opportunity to continue working with them.  For his second WBLE with The Chronicle, Aiden worked as a “Newspaper Sorter.” This required him to work with a team, on an assembly line and they would collect the newspapers, assemble them, and stack them into a machine, which would then automatically wrap them into a bundle. He also would routinely stock office supplies in various departments at the worksite, and relocate leftover newspapers into the recycling area. Aiden would also assist with preparing mail-out flyers and auditing and organizing files for the administrative department. 

“My team and I are so thankful that Aiden came to us. He has surpassed all expectations. We never have to worry that he won’t show up or do his list of duties. …He moves so quickly and efficiently. He’s like our little energizer bunny…He is so professional in dealing with the employees. Everyone has noticed him and has enjoyed having his energy and help with their projects,” Jackie says of Aiden. 

But Jackie isn’t the only one who has noticed Aiden’s growth and success. Aiden’s mom, Cheri, tells us since Aiden joined employU he has progressed in such a positive way and is becoming more confident, communicative, outgoing, and independent. Cheri further states that Aiden has become more outspoken at his church’s youth group and is telling jokes to his peers. Cheri described the positive changes in Aiden’s behavior and stated that each work training has contributed to these important changes in her son’s development as a young adult. Chris explains, “The pride and joy that Cheri had while talking about her son is not something I can easily describe. One thing I did take away from speaking with Cheri was that Aiden’s family was grateful for the employU program and Aiden’s success is certainly a heartfelt experience for all those involved.”  For more information on our employment services visit https://employu.org/client-services/ or contact us using the form below.  

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