Meet Russell
When you reach the check-out line at your local supermarket Russell might help you bag your groceries. He also might smile at you, offer help carry things to your car and ask you how your day is going.
Russell has been working as a bagger since June and he loves it! He came to the local grocery store quiet, timid and unsure, but since then he has flourished and gained a sense of real independence.
“He is growing in leaps and bounds,” said his job trainer, Debra Nardello. “He used to immediately ask for help when he got into a situation where he was unsure of what to do. Now he tries to figure things out on his own and doesn’t come to me for help until he has made an attempt to solve his problem independently.”
Russell seems to know when somebody needs a little extra assistance; he is always there to lend a hand. Whether by helping an elderly couple load groceries into their car or staying late at work to fill in when someone is absent, Russell is eager to help in any way that he can.
“He never complains, and I mean never,” said Nardello. “The store gets really busy, he gets tired, someone gives him a hard time…but he never complains.”
Russell loves coming to work and his desire to move and succeed is inspirational. But what Russell really gets a kick out of is getting his very own paycheck! He loves to buy flowers for his mother and sister and takes his family out for pizza whenever he can.
Russell is up for an award at his place of employment because of his dedication and motivation as well as the kindness and generosity he brings with him to work every single day.
Debra Nardello - Job Trainer
