Wyatt has autism and ADHD. During his Grade 11 year, his mother learned about Neil Squire’s Working Together program as a way for Wyatt to get some work experience.

Working with Neil Squire’s Penticton office, he quickly found an opportunity with Independent Living Vernon (new window).

Independent Living Vernon is a resource centre providing information, referral, and social supports to people with a variety of disabilities.

Wyatt works as an assistant, working with their youth group after school on Tuesdays and an adult group on Thursdays, with duties including setting up, hosting, and cleaning up afterwards.

“[He] was a great match,” says Crystal, Wyatt’s supervisor at Independent Living Vernon. “[Wyatt] has been a great addition to the roles he has been asked to fill. He is friendly and gets along well with the groups he has been asked to work with. He is helpful and open to the tasks he is asked to do.”

“[I have] more confidence,” Wyatt explains. “[I] met new people, made friends.”

With the confidence he gained with his work experience, Wyatt found another job on his own at a local resort.

In the future, Wyatt looks forward to graduating high school, and wants to find employment in building or fixing computers.

Working Together has been a win-win for both the employee and employer.

“[The] Working Together program has benefited our business by providing staff in the past and now who are able to provide the physical and social supports needed to keep groups going/rekindled, especially after the COVID pandemic,” says Crystal.

“The Working Together program is wonderful to have a connection with. ILV has gained numerous permanent employees through partnerships with Neil Squire and we value this connection and hope to work some more in the future.”