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Samuel Duncan wanted a job -- but he found the process of finding an employer, learning skills, and completing tasks overwhelming.
He found the help and support he needed at Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc., at the Minot regional office. Now he's helping others by keeping them safe on the road, through his job as an automotive service technician with Minot Automotive Company.
Duncan started his employment journey with the N.D. Health and Human Services Department's Vocational Rehabilitation program. He met with his Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, and they discussed and assessed his interests, skills and goals. She then presented him with options of local providers that have work-based learning programs.
Duncan's mother used to work as a direct support professional for Easter Seals Goodwill ND. She knew the nonprofit business provides services to people who have disabilities and job challenges. Based on her personal experience as an employee, and the company's positive reputation in the community, the family chose Easter Seals Goodwill ND to provide Duncan's job training and placement services.
Duncan met Angi Barczik, an employment specialist with Easter Seals Goodwill ND. He told her about his involvement with his high school's auto-technician program and his general interest in cars. He drives a Chevy Cruz and says he likes any car that gets good gas mileage.
Wanting to build on his passion, Barczik went to Minot Automotive and spoke to Assistant Service Manager Jake Adams. She told him about Duncan's desire to get a job working with cars. The company is a local leader in hiring people who have disabilities, and Barczik thought it would be a supportive employer for Duncan. She was right.
Adams said people who have disabilities are people who have abilities, just like everyone else.
"Everyone has something to give," Adams said. "Samuel is a great addition to our [automotive] family. He is always smiling and in a great mood, no matter what. He is a hard worker, and everyone fights over who gets to work with him."
Duncan started the job in July. He received training on how to change oil and inspect tires in customers' vehicles, and make basic repairs and recommendations. Barczik checked on Duncan regularly, spoke to his managers and co-workers and made sure he was meeting their expectations and completing the work.
Adams said Duncan shows up on time for each shift and gets right to work.
"He is very inquisitive, and he will ask questions if he doesn't know something," Adams said.
Through community partnerships and opportunities, Duncan is excelling. Minot Automotive is giving him work experience, income and a sense of purpose. Easter Seals Goodwill ND is giving him the training and support he needs to be a valued employee.
Duncan's need for Barczik's job coaching becomes less with each shift. That means personal and professional progress is being made, and his custom plan in Vocational Rehabilitation is serving him well.
"Every person I work with is unique and has a different definition of 'dream job.' When I can place someone at a job that they love and will do great things and be successful, it brings the process full circle," Barczik said.
"It makes the time and effort worth it, and it feels good to know I helped get this person to where he is now," she says.
In his time with Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Duncan has received a service, and now he's providing a service that benefits him, his employer, their customers and the greater Minot community.
Easter Seals Goodwill ND's program services provide direct care to people who have disabilities. Regional offices are in Minot, Mandan, Dickinson, Jamestown, Fargo and Grand Forks. As a non-profit organization, the company's retail services help fund its program services. Its Goodwill retail stores are in Minot, Bismarck, Jamestown, Fargo (2), and Grand Forks.