Leading With Kindness

Patience had been diagnosed with Autism and high anxiety. Everyday functions were made harder mentally and physically. During her time at Goodwill, Patience has grown personally as well as mentally into a leader amongst her peers.

In July 2021, Patience started the Goodwill Adult Project SEARCH Internship program at Cintas Corporation. Prior to being accepted into the national program, she completed a skills assessment and interview session with a panel.

Upon graduation in February 2022, Patience continued to lead and was one of the cohorts asked to apply for an open position at Cintas. At the time, transportation and the hours of work were not accommodating for her, so she decided to work with Vocational Rehabilitation and a Goodwill Community Employment Training Specialist to help her find a fitting job in the community. Patience was able to find a part-time job at Dillon’s in the floral department fulfilling arrangements. She flourished for a couple of months, then had a rise in her anxiety, and her transportation options were slim.

Goodwill and Vocational Rehabilitation helped her with many team meetings and worked with her employer on cutting back her hours. Her self-confidence was built back up, her self-advocacy was regained and she was able to go back to her job with more hours and responsibilities.

Patience is a leader and hard worker, she has a caring heart to help others. When Patience is asked to do something, she does it and never complains. Patience goes above and beyond at work and at Goodwill Day Services with a strong work ethic. She is friendly and treats every one of her peers and supervisors with respect. Patience has learned new ways of coping with her anxiety and talking through things without shutting down. Now she is able to build others up with her kindness and encouraging words.

Learn more about our Community Employment program here.