Growth is rarely comfortable or easy. That didn’t stop Zion from taking a bold step toward independence in June 2023—through the doors of a Danbury coffee shop where he first met our Employment Specialist, Teri Damo.

At the time, Zion was in his late 20s, unemployed, and had just spent two months unhoused with his mother. He hadn’t completed high school, didn’t have a bank account, and wasn’t enrolled in state benefits for people with disabilities. The circumstances were daunting, but he heard that Ability Beyond could help.

Less than two years later, Zion is thriving in a part-time job at Stew Leonard’s, earning credits toward his diploma, and building meaningful social connections.

“I strive for independence, and Ability Beyond wants me to succeed too,” Zion said. “They’ve supported me every step of the way—with transportation, work clothes, and opportunity. I’m more than grateful.”

From Teri’s perspective, her support has just been “part of the success.” 

“He’s the other half,” she said. “His willingness, his perseverance, and his trust in me. In the long run, he really wanted this for himself.”

Finding his Place

Zion’s determination was clear from Day 1—and so was his desire to socialize. He is passionate about building meaningful connections, but didn’t always know how to make them.

“He had been home-schooled and hadn’t been exposed to a lot of things,” Teri recalled. “He was low-key, soft-spoken, and didn’t know who to trust.”

That’s where Teri stepped in, recognizing Zion’s need for more than just employment or housing. Zion also craved friends and a sense of belonging. 

Teri remembers when Zion first enrolled in adult education, for instance, he kept asking if he could join after-school clubs at Danbury High School. Teri had to gently remind him that he wasn’t a DHS student. Then it clicked—Zion was searching for a peer group. Teri connected him with the Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, and since then, Zion has been attending programs for young men with disabilities. He’s even tried his hand at archery.

“At this moment, my life is all about meeting new people,” Zion said. “Building strong relationships is so important.”

Andrea Brunner, a Career Development Program Manager, said that Zion’s warm personality helps him connect with others.

“He’s very open about what he’s dealing with,” she said. “He also seeks people out, and he’s willing to help them.” 

For instance, at the Stew Leonard’s bakery, Zion was prepping fresh cookies one day when a colleague requested him in the bagel department. The older co-worker was struggling with back pain and needed help cutting the dough. 

“I’m really glad I was there to assist,” Zion said. “I didn’t want him doing everything by himself.” 

Skill Building and Stability

A turning point for Zion was the AbilityWorks program, a six-week course that helps participants develop soft and hard skills for competitive employment. They earn industry certifications in hospitality, retail, and customer service, while also learning how to interact effectively at work—and beyond.

“It’s about learning what’s appropriate,” Zion explains. “How to behave in certain situations, how to assist customers, and how to diffuse a situation when things aren’t pleasant. I’m pretty much a problem solver now.”

Through AbilityWorks and a supported internship at Walgreens, Zion gained invaluable work experience, as well as a paycheck. For him, it was about more than just the money. It was about purpose. Zion had recently lost his beloved grandmother to cancer and, shortly after, his family faced serious financial struggles, even having their car repossessed.

“Thanks to Ability Beyond, I was able to save up and help my mom buy a used car,” Zion said. “My mom was really proud of me. I didn’t touch those paychecks; I kept saving until I reached the amount needed to take care of something important. God has blessed me.”

A Work Family

Now Zion has worked at Stew Leonard’s in Danbury for more than nine months—another blessing in his life, which he calls his dream job. He’s earning more money than before, taking on more responsibility, and, most importantly, strengthening his social connections.

“Stew’s is a welcoming, happy environment,” he says. “They really see me as a hard worker and treat me like family. That’s amazing because I don’t have any brothers or sisters. But at my job, I can always find someone to relate to.”

Take Action

Zion is just one of the many success stories from our career development programs, which serve more than 1,750 people throughout Connecticut and New York. Please do what you can to help support our program and ensure more success stories like Zion’s.