2018 Achiever of the Year: Anthony Oyler

When Anthony came to Goodwill’s Skills Development Adult Day Program, he worked with trained staff to create a person-centered support plan with goals to help guide his job skills and social development. At first, he lacked focus and motivation to work and had many socially inappropriate behaviors, lacked self-confidence and was quick to become angry. He had a lot of work to do to prepare for a job in the community, but he was up for the task.

Working in a structured environment was key to Anthony’s personal growth. His maturity, flexibility and focus improved, along with his motivation to work. He had dreams of being more independent and holding a job in the community. That led him to participate in Goodwill’s Adult Project SEARCH internship program at Cintas, where he worked in an integrated environment alongside a Goodwill instructor, job coach and Cintas mentors.

“He had mentors that took him under their wing. He was a kid coming in, and they showed him how to be a man,” Instructor Connie Sneeringer said.

As his confidence grew, Anthony spoke more clearly, controlled his emotions and acted more professionally. He became known for his strength and ability to see a job through to the end. “Project SEARCH taught me that it’s important to work and make new skills. I went to Cintas to prove that I’m worthy of a community job,” Anthony said.

After graduating from the Project SEARCH program in July, Anthony gained community employment in the parts department at one of the largest car dealerships in the area, Davis-Moore Auto Group. Project SEARCH “gave me the chance to work anywhere in the community, but (Davis-Moore) was my first choice, “ he said. “I’m in my rookie stage here, but I might train a new parts runner one of these days,” Anthony said.

Anthony is excited to continue to learn and develop new job skills. He plans to build on his newfound independence with a driver’s license and an apartment.