WorkConnect Success Story

Sometimes a movie ending can be just too darn exciting, Gabe found out after starting a job he obtained with the
help of WorkConnect.

Gabe, who has autism, recently landed a job at a Calgary Landmark Cinema. A key task is to clean theater rooms after movies end. A recent blockbuster movie’s ending is so exciting “people lost their minds, out of control, in a good way. What a mess people made!” he said with a laugh.

It’s all in a day’s work, in a job Gabe loves because of supportive management and kind colleagues. “Having fun at work is so important,” Gabe said.

“People who work there, I’ve made friends with some. And management is really nice to me too.”

Gabe, 21, had worked at The Gap for two years, running the fitting room and helping with shipments. When the
store permanently closed, Gabe was unemployed for three months. Although he was on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped), he was unhappy not working. “It was stressful in some ways, and I got a little discouraged.”

His mom suggested WorkConnect, where Job Developer Pam recognized a young man with lots of potential. “He just worked so hard at it,” Pam said. “When I first met him, we had lots of discussions about his Gap job. It was important to Gabe to have a supportive team of workers and bosses who were compassionate, and would be patient if he asks the same question a couple of times. “Gabe was very active in looking for employment and we had a really good working relationship.” Together they revised his resume and practiced for interviews.

When he saw the cinema was hiring, he contacted Pam, who called right away and spoke to the manager. “I got an interview!” Gabe said. “And I’m going to be honest, it was by far the best interview I’ve ever had. Two managers interviewed me, we got along really. I made friends.” The manager emailed him that night that he got the job.

“I’m a busy guy when I’m working, and I’d like to stay there for awhile now. I’m giving it a go, I really like it.”