Lakeland Care Inc. is pleased to recognize Noah for the progress he is making toward his employment and independence goals.
Noah currently works two community jobs, balancing about 30 hours each week while building savings toward an important goal: moving into his own place. His employment journey has been shaped by thoughtful planning, determination, and the supports he has chosen to use along the way.
With support from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Aspiro, Noah completed a benefits analysis to better understand how employment and benefits work together. This information helped him make informed decisions and move forward with confidence in pursuing community employment.
Noah works at Josephine’s Pizza & Pastaria and Packer Fastener.
At Josephine’s Pizza & Pastaria, Noah has become a valued member of the team. Owner Frank describes him as “one of our fastest dishwashers we’ve ever had.” He also shared that Noah regularly steps in wherever needed, helping enter orders from multiple delivery apps and clearing tables during busy times. After taking a short break to explore another opportunity, Noah was welcomed back, reflecting the strong impression he made through his reliability and contributions.
Working close to home has provided practical benefits for Noah. When the weather allows, he walks or bikes to work. This routine supports greater flexibility in his daily life and continues to build his confidence in managing his schedule and responsibilities.
At Packer Fastener, Noah has worked for about two years, helping keep the warehouse organized and clean. Travis, warehouse operations manager and Noah’s supervisor, describes him as “a good worker who brings a positive attitude and is easy to work with.” Over time, Noah has taken responsibility for a larger area of the warehouse, demonstrating steady growth in his role. Travis said Noah is open to feedback and uses it to continue developing his skills.
To stay organized, Noah uses a checklist and continues to build skills in prioritizing tasks, maintaining quality and managing his time. Through his work, he has gained confidence and strengthened his self-advocacy skills. Looking ahead, Noah plans to continue building his independence, including working toward earning his driver’s license and eventually moving into his own place.
In conversation, Noah expressed that he truly values his work and the employers he works for. He often mentions the clean ingredients in Josephine’s award-winning pizzas and the additional responsibilities he has been given at Packer Fastener.
Noah’s family shared the impact they have seen: “As someone who enjoys task-oriented work, employment gives Noah purpose and allows him to build on his strengths. Work has become a real priority for him, and he doesn’t want to miss opportunities to earn money. Employment has helped him continue growing toward the future he wants for himself.”
Congratulations to Noah on the progress he is making toward the future he envisions.