When Kevin first walked through the doors of WISE Employment Services, his quiet presence was palpable. He hesitated at the entrance, nervously smoothing his shirt with trembling fingers before accepting the first handshake with eyes firmly fixed on the ground. Shy by nature, Kevin kept conversations brief and avoided making eye contact. Group settings overwhelmed him. When it came to employment, his aspirations were straightforward; all he wanted for employment was to wash cars, and he envisioned little beyond that role.
Kevin brought something powerful with him—the intense desire to work.
For an employment specialist, this was both a gift and a challenge. Kevin’s determination to work was clear, but his vision of employment was limited. The task wasn’t to push him beyond what he could handle, but to balance his immediate goals with gentle encouragement to explore a wider horizon.
At first, he worked on small steps with the support of WISE. Talking to people and practicing conversations. Sitting in workshops, even if he didn’t speak. The WISE team created a safe, supportive environment where mistakes weren’t failures, just stepping stones. Slowly, Kevin discovered that confidence grows when you plant it every day, even in small doses.
The turning point came when Kevin started working at Avis. This came about after connecting and interviewing with many other employers. For the employment specialist, finding the right workplace where there was the right balance of independence, supervision, no customer interaction, repetition of tasks, detail-oriented tasks and above all, Cars was no easy feat! Employers who were open to change, provide valuable support, and patience were not that easy to find. But Avis welcomed Kevin, brought cars to him since he didn’t drive, and invited him into conversations. Over time, he surprised everyone by speaking up more often. Each new experience—whether talking on the work site, going to church, talking to the youth at church, volunteering at church, or talking to his family, especially his mother, about his future—helped Kevin’s voice grow stronger. The once-silent young man now began to join conversations, share his thoughts, and connect with others.
Most inspiring has been Kevin’s growth in building relationships. He began talking to more coworkers and peers, something that had once felt impossible. Reflecting on this change, Kevin said, “I used to think I couldn’t connect with others, but now I’m learning to open up and share my thoughts.” For the employment specialist, moments like this validated all the advocacy done behind the scenes—educating employers, coaching coworkers, and ensuring Kevin’s workplace was truly inclusive. Without that groundwork, his quietness might have been mistaken for disinterest instead of potential.
Now, Kevin isn’t just focused on the present—he’s looking toward the future. He talks about wanting to learn how to drive, something that his mother never thought he would want to do. He wants to start living independently, learn how to save money, and travel back to Ghana. He dreams of buying his own place and a car down the road, and also sees himself contributing to the community. Instead of foggy glass, Kevin sees a clearer horizon: independence, opportunity, and belongings.
At WISE, Kevin’s story reminds everyone that success isn’t only about landing a job. It’s about becoming the author of your own story. Kevin is writing his with courage, humour, and an eye to the future—and this is just the first chapter.
Written by AR