Success Story - Steve Head

Even though he wanted one, Steve Head couldn’t 
get a job. Despite his desire to work full-time and 
his experience working for retail and grocery 
chains, Asperger Syndrome hampered Steve’s 
ability to communicate and connect with others 
and had prevented him from working for the past 
three years. Then he found Goodwill.     

He entered Goodwill’s work adjustment training program, a course dedicated to cultivating attitudes and work behaviors that enable people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to achieve their fullest potential in the work world. Program participants receive classroom training where they learn about job stress, interviewing skills, accepting supervision and criticism, job retention skills and other tools which help prepare them for competitive employment outside of Goodwill.

Often people with Asperger Syndrome become preoccupied easily and have difficulty interpreting nonverbal gestures. Steve excelled in his training at Goodwill and gained skills that helped him focus his attention and communicate better with his coworkers. According to his case manager, Oliver Kendall, Steve always had a willingness to work and would do any job he was asked to do.

Steve now works as a part-time employee at T.J. Maxx in Hixson and hopes to get a full-time position in the near future. “Goodwill helped me get the job I wanted,” he said.