I’m Trevor, and this is my story.

The Quarantine…

Do you remember quarantine? The fear, the uncertainty… people panic-buying everything… feeling lonely and stuck at home.

The worst part for me was the racism and attacks on Asian people. It was all over the news, and as a young man with Chinese roots and a learning disability, I didn’t feel safe. I was scared—scared of getting sick, scared of being attacked, and, worst of all, scared that someone in my family could die. I couldn’t even see my grandparents, and their health was already fragile. The isolation and sadness felt like a dark cloud I couldn’t escape.

Then, my mom found an employment service called UNITI’S WISE Employment Solutions through Community Living of British Columbia. That’s when I met Victoria, an Employment Specialist. We couldn’t meet in person because of restrictions, so we talked online with my mom there to support me.

Since getting a job was hard at that time, we focused on learning—job skills, work habits, and everything I would need. But Victoria also noticed something else: I was lonely. So, she introduced me to Laura and Heather from UNITI’s Community Connector Services. Their job was to help people like me find activities and meet others in the community.

I HATED it. I didn’t want to meet new people. I ignored their calls, their emails, and their invites.

My First Job…

But Laura, Heather, and Victoria never gave up. I kept thinking, Why do they even care? They kept calling, emailing, and even getting my mom to tell me to call them back. Finally, I gave in.

A few months later, I joined Tech Titans, an online group where people learned how to use Zoom, played games, and talked about internet safety. I realized I was good with computers—and even better at leading sessions! So, from not wanting to talk to anyone, I was suddenly mentoring others.

This helped me land my first job during quarantine—working for the South Surrey and White Rock Chamber of Commerce, managing their social media. I loved it! I could use my skills, meet people, and work from home.

Finding My Confidence…

Working for the Chamber of Commerce changed my life. When quarantine ended, I knew I was ready for more.

That’s when Victoria told me about a computer hardware assistant job at UNITI. I felt more confident, so I took it! I got to work in person, learn about computer hardware, and grow my skills.

Then, Victoria pushed me even further—she asked me to speak in front of 200 people at an event. I was terrified. We practiced so much that I almost lost my voice—and my patience! It’s crazy to think that just a few months before, I wouldn’t even leave my bedroom. And now, here I was, speaking to 200 strangers—and loving it.

Joining the Circus… (Well, Sort of!)

Have you ever dreamed of joining the circus? Traveling, bright lights, excitement? Well, I did—kind of!

I got a chance to work for Cirque du Soleil. I was thrilled, but my parents weren’t. The job meant long commutes on public transit—something I had never done before. It meant working with a big team and talking to the public. My parents were worried, but this time, I helped THEM feel confident in me.

I asked my mom, “Can you take me on the SkyTrain?” We practiced until she knew I’d be safe. And guess what? I did it! Do you know how amazing it feels when people say, “I wish I had YOUR job!”?

A Job is More Than a Job…

For me, having a job isn’t just about work. It means visiting my grandparents and buying them pizza. Just us. It means going out with my cousins, helping pay for food and drinks. It even means taking my parents out for lunch.

A job gives me freedom, confidence, and connection. It means everything.