“Thanks to GVRA, every day of my son’s work life is a miracle,” says Mom of Former GVRA Client

“Woo-Hoo, we did it” 

Kaleb Hester always knew he wanted “something better” when it came to employment. In high school, he worked part-time as a greeter in a retail store, but that job only offered a few hours per week. Kaleb wanted to work more hours so he could contribute to his family’s household income. 

Upon learning about GVRA and completing the intake process, Kaleb’s case was assigned to Debbie Miller in the Athens office. After meeting with Kaleb, Debbie could see that he was a pleasant young man who wanted to work full-time. 

“Kaleb needed an opportunity that would provide more hours and a chance to build a career,” said Miller. “He was quiet and struggled a little bit with his self-confidence. I also noticed Kaleb lacked self-advocacy skills, and he sometimes struggled when communicating with others.”

Wiregrass Resource Group gives Kaleb a boost via supported employment  

Miller said Kaleb received Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) during high school, vocational guidance and counseling, and driver training while he was a GVRA client. After evaluating him, Miller believed Kaleb would benefit from the assistance of a job coach. Suzanne Prchal, a counselor with Wiregrass Resource Group, became his coach. 

“GVRA helped Kaleb interview with a Walgreens Distribution Center in Pendergrass,” stated Prchal. “Walgreens has a robust inclusive hiring program dating back to 2007. The company strives to uphold the vision of its founder, Charles Walgreen, and his commitment to hiring and retaining other-abled employees,” she explained.

In the last decade, Walgreens has become a leader in employing individuals with disabilities. According to its website, Walgreens recognizes “that a disability-inclusive workplace and culture enables the company to tap into a wider pool of talent and empower individuals with disabilities through signature programs.”

Walgreens Inclusive Hiring Program offers Kaleb a Hand Up   

After interviewing with Walgreens, Kaleb was placed on a temporary assignment. “He was seeking permanent employment, so Walgreens arranged a 45-day probationary period during which Kaleb could prove himself,” Prchal said. 

In the beginning, Kaleb was assigned to a loading team which required him to put crates on trucks,” Prchal stated. “As you can imagine, that’s a very demanding job, and it was tiring for Kaleb. He was not accustomed to that kind of labor, so we decided it would be best to move him to the picking area of the warehouse.” In that capacity, Kaleb labels crates and puts them on the conveyor. While it’s still a physical job, picking does not tire him the way putting crates on trucks did.   

When asked if he likes his job at Walgreens, Kaleb said he is grateful for full-time employment. He also recommends GVRA services to anyone who qualifies. “After graduating from East Jackson High School in 2023, I wanted to work,” Kaleb shared. 

Walgreens Distribution Center: A chance for Kaleb to shine 

“During his probationary period, Kaleb made the 80 percent production goal the company had established. To become a permanent employee, he had to reach 90 percent,” explained Prchal. “I was his onsite cheerleader, helping him reduce extra movements so he could keep the momentum going. Many of his co-workers also were pulling for him to succeed.” 

One day, at the end of the shift, supervisors hit a buzzer that shuts off all the machines.  When Kaleb heard the buzzer, he shouted, ‘Woo-hoo. we did it!”  From that day forward, his co-workers join him in shouting “Woo-hoo, we did it” at the end of the shift, Prchal noted.  “Having Kaleb on the team has increased the morale of the entire picking department,” she observed. Prchal mentioned Kaleb is one of her favorite clients. “Kaleb faced some barriers to employment, but he persevered and proved everybody wrong. It’s a joy to see him shine in this job,” she concluded.   

Thanks to GVRA, Kaleb’s employment status is ‘a miracle’ 

Cassie Hester, Kaleb’s mom, is thankful for the assistance Kaleb received from his GVRA counselor and his job coach. “At age five, Kaleb was diagnosed as autistic,” Hester said. “He was my first-born. I wish I had an entire-life movie of Kaleb, because his story is unbelievable.”

Hester said what GVRA has done to help her son is miraculous. “Kaleb still struggles, and he encounters barriers,” she said. “I prefer to think of him as someone with ‘impaired ability,’ rather than a disability. There’s so much Kaleb can do on his own. For example, with his Walgreens job, he rides county transit. The bus driver picks him up to take him to work and he rides the bus home once his shift is over. Being able to ride the bus increases his sense of independence.”

Just watching him go to work and come home every day is inspiring, Hester shared. “His involvement with GVRA is something I feel strongly about. Every workday is a miracle,” she mused. “Every day that Kaleb defies the doctor’s predictions is truly a miracle.” 

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• Success Story