Even superheroes sometimes need a boost of confidence from their friends and allies before entering the scene, and it’s no different for Delvin McGinnis, who at first only believed himself capable of staying in the background. A client of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, Devlin says VR gave him the confidence to get a job, and eventually, become a hero.
Arizona’s VR Program is designed to help job seekers with disabilities complete their educational and employment goals. Devlin, who was diagnosed with autism, began working with his VR counselor, Maria Hadnot, in January 2022.
They started with work adjustment training, where they focused on what it’s like to be an employee, communicating with colleagues and how to best represent yourself at work. During that time, Maria worked with Devlin to identify his strengths and perceived weaknesses.
Maria says she takes a personalized approach with her clients because, as someone once told her, “Just because you meet one person with autism, doesn’t mean you’ve met everybody with autism. So take every individual as an individual, and just that.”
“I remember some of the barriers that we originally had started with was socializing and communicating,” said Maria, explaining that Devlin “thought he would have to work somewhere where he was in the background and not seen.”
However, after starting work at a grocery store in August 2022, Devlin’s perspective changed. His role of bagging groceries, restocking shelves and corralling carts in the parking lot has him at the front of the store working among people every day. Devlin says that he loves his job and has quickly become a favorite among his colleagues and customers for his positive attitude. “My managers are very nice. Everybody from work loves me,” said Devlin.
Maria says all it took for Devlin to succeed was a little encouragement and for him to have an open mind. “We live for those small moments where they [clients] realize that ‘Hey, I gained something!’” she said.
Devlin trained on the job for four to five months and it paid off in a big way: One day when Devlin was bringing in carts from the parking lot, he noticed two kids darting out of the store and getting ready to go into the street.
“I was alert because I need to watch for kids that need to be closer to their parents,” said Devlin. As the boys headed into the street, Devlin quickly stopped them. The boy’s mother was so grateful for his quick thinking and action that she asked to take a picture with her new “hero.”
Devlin, who graduated from high school earlier this month, says programs like VR “keeps me comfortable and confident with getting a job.”
Learn more about the VR programs employment services for job seekers with disabilities, including how to apply today.