Q&A with Matthew, Mariano's Team Member
Matthew G. is one of Search's newest competitive employment placements. He has been a team member at Mariano's for one month. Before beginning in his current position, Matthew participated in Search's No Boundaries program through his high school. Since he graduated, Matthew is now is part of our Community Employment Services (CES).
Matthew participates in Special Olympics, is interested in pursuing a career in the culinary field, and is an uncle to six (!) nieces and nephews, a fact which he is very proud of. He is also currently taking courses through a local community college.
Q: Tell me about what you do for your job ...
A: "I'm a bagger, I bag people's groceries for them. I ask if they want paper or plastic. Sometimes I help clean the checkout aisles. I help the customers and sometimes I help them outside with their groceries."
Q: What do you like about your job?
A: "I like pretty much everything about it! I like working with my co-workers because they are nice and helpful too."
Q: What is different for you now that you have a job?
A: "What's different is that I have less free time and I am making my own money! It gets me out of the house for a while and gives me something to do."
Q: Why is it important for you to have a job?
A: "So I have something to do and make my own money, and to learn skills so I can do things for myself."
Q: Why is it important for businesses to hire people with disabilities?
A: "So people have opportunities besides being stuck at home. I want to be become a chef one day, and Mariano's will give me the chance to work with food, so I can get more skills and hopefully become a chef."
Q: Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do for fun? Do you see friends or family?
A: "I like to hang out with my friends, sometimes we go bowling or to the movies or they come over to my house. When I am by myself I like to go on the computer or tablet, or play on my Wii. I also like to go back and help out my culinary teacher at my high school once a week."