Daniel finds his niche
Daniel Coolidge is a young man of few words, a warm smile, and many interests. He loves playing ice hockey, drawing, painting, swimming, and connecting with his CherishAbility friends.
An early diagnosis of the claim of autism gave him access to support services throughout his public school years. It also spurred his parents, Scott and Shelley, deeper in their reliance on Christian Science, convinced that a false material picture would not eclipse Daniel’s innate wholeness.
When he turned 22 a few years ago, Daniel aged out of the many school-based support programs that helped him transition into adult life, including job coaching and life-skills classes. Now that he is entering his adult life, job opportunities have proven elusive.
A mother shares …
“Many years ago, a Christian Science practitioner shared with me that, regardless of how the moon appears—from our perspective it may look like a crescent, half, or even a sliver—the moon is always full. Regardless of how something may appear, we are always whole and complete, spiritual ideas, the way God created us. This has been an important metaphor for me through the years.”
Daniel loves to work, and his favorite vocational training stints when in school included stocking and straightening shelves at a grocery store, and wiping tables and clearing trays at a restaurant.
Two years ago, Daniel applied to his local Chick-Fil-A and was called back for a group interview. Although he has excellent work skills, Chick-Fil-A wasn’t able to offer him a job with the supervision he needs.
That’s when Daniel was hired to work in CherishAbility’s Vocational Training Program—an experience that Shelley says has been a huge blessing. Daniel and a crew of six other trainees worked at the A/U Ranches on the lodge, dish room, and facilities crews. With 24-hour support from CherishAbility coaches (all Christian Scientists), Daniel and his fellow trainees learned how to operate in a commercial kitchen, how to work as a team, and how to live independently from their parents.
Daniel finds his niche at Camp Owatonna
Last summer, Daniel became the first trainee in CherishAbility’s pilot Vocational Training Program at Camps Newfound and Owatonna in Maine. With the support of CherishAbility job coach Sandy Nager, Daniel prepped meals in the Owatonna kitchen for the entire boys camp.
His job coach shares …
Daniel was a quick learner and got along well with the team, Sandy says. “Daniel always arrived early, ready for his shift,” she recalls, adding that he showed great initiative in finding ways to help the kitchen run smoothly. After meals, when the campers called the kitchen crew out with chants of “We want the cooks,” “it was so fun to see his enthusiastic response. Daniel went out quickly and his smile lit up the lodge.”
His mom shares…
Daniel with his parents, Scott and Shelley, in Maine
The Christian Science support and job coaching have been invaluable, says Shelley. “We know that Daniel couldn’t have stepped into the Owatonna kitchen and done that job by himself. But we knew he had a lot of practical skills, and with support, could be successful at that job and make a contribution. And that’s exactly what CherishAbility gave him!
“I see the CherishAbility job program as a bridge—not only to get a paid job but to greater independence. Another blessing: After working at Owatonna last summer, Daniel decided to apply for and was accepted as a new member of The Mother Church. After working at the Christian Science camps, this was a natural next step.”
Daniel shares…
For his part, Daniel enjoyed working at Owatonna and looks forward to returning this summer. “My job coach [Sandy] helped me a lot. She was really nice to me,” he says. “Having a part-time job makes me happy.”
Next fall, Daniel will continue working towards an Associate Degree in Studio Arts at his local community college.