JEFF HAD SOME EXPERIENCE working odd jobs at his church and mowing lawns but wanted to learn more skills and find work in the community. As a result, he enrolled in a six-week janitorial training program offered by another local human service agency. After the program ended, Jeff was unable to secure a job.

“Jeff really needs to work. He needs a job,” said Jeff’s mom Karen LeClair. “He was at loose ends and just miserable.”

Facing physical and developmental challenges, opportunities were limited and finding a job was difficult. Jeff’s parents went to Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) for help and they referred Jeff to Goodwill for a Vocational Evaluation and job placement assistance.

His Goodwill case manager learned that Jeff was very interested in continuing to work in the janitorial field and after a few weeks of training and assessment, he recommended Jeff for an open position with Goodwill’s Janitorial Services night crew. Jeff applied and was hired.

On the job Jeff flourished; conquering his fear of heights and stairs, and building his social skills with his teammates. He learned the techniques for cleaning restrooms, mastering general cleaning, and quietly learning the skills of leadership and camaraderie with his coworkers.

“He was so excited,” Karen said. “When he started going to work he came home every day telling us about it.”

In June of 2017, Jeff was asked to serve as a mentor for Goodwill’s incoming Janitorial Occupational Training (JOT) program participants who receive on-the-job training cleaning the facilities at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Jeff served as an anchor for his team; ensuring all quality standards were met and helping the new trainees hone their skills.

“Jeff has a passion to exceed every milestone that we set up for him. No matter what the challenge is he just seems to work through it and surpass it,” said Janitorial Services Manager Kathy Harris.

“It amazes me how a job can make such a difference in somebody’s life, but it certainly has with him,” Jeff’s mother Karen says. “For him, it is a huge sense of purpose: ‘this is where I belong, somebody needs me.’”