N.B. program gives students with disabilities a path to the workforce

When Melissa Carhart’s son Jaxson was born, they were told that he may never speak.

But his speech did come around the age of eight.

Now, at 18, he’s scored a job at Port Saint John and his family could not be happier.

“We drive to work every morning and we hit about the causeway there off Bayside Drive and [Jaxson] just starts bouncing and the smile is just ear to ear. He just can't wait to get there and see his co-workers,” said Carhart.

After Jaxson’s autism diagnosis when he was three years old, his family thought a job may not be in the cards for him.

Carhart and her husband, Judson, weren’t sure if an employer would view their son the way they do — a spark, a bright light.

“How do you approach an employer and ask them to take a chance on your child? They don't know who your child is or what they bring to the table. So that was a very scary part,” she said.

He's working, he's in the workforce, he's been accepted, he's thriving. What more could we ask for?- Melissa Carhart, mother

That dream has now been realized at Port Saint John where she said Jaxson is loved, supported and feels like a celebrity every day.

“It's just, it's an amazing feeling and I always dreamed that this would happen and here we are, living our dream right now," said Carhart. "He's working, he's in the workforce, he's been accepted, he's thriving. What more could we ask for?”

Jaxson works with the maintenance and grounds crew, which has several responsibilities. He sets up for events, shovels snow, clears leaves, does painting and the occasional office furniture assembly.

The opportunity came through Inclusion NB, a non-profit that aims to create opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Jaxson is a part of their transition to work program, which he started at Simonds High School in Grade 10.

The program works with students entering Grade 10 who have intellectual or developmental disabilities to prepare them for work and get a placement.

Students in the program work with someone from Inclusion NB on resume writing, job interview skills and what employers might expect on the job.

Prospective employers also work with Inclusion NB to make sure when they do hire a candidate the transition is smooth.

Carhart is thankful for Inclusion NB helping with the transition and for Port Saint John “opening their doors and their minds to including Jaxson.”

“I'm almost speechless when it comes to it because I'm so proud of just my son, Jaxson, and being connected with Inclusion New Brunswick, being connected with Port Saint John. It's just been an absolutely awesome journey.”

She said she’s seen some changes in her son since joining the workforce.

Jaxson is known to be very chatty at work and makes lots of connections with his co-workers.

Carhart said his time management skills and confidence have improved.

She gets daily photos of Jaxson from his mentors at the port, showing him doing work that she didn’t know he was capable of. Carhart said he’s well-liked on the job.

“I've had people stop me on the sidewalk and let me know that my son is just a ray of sunshine and they absolutely love him there. So it's a very great feeling.”

Jaxson’s got his own cash now and debit card so he’s learning money management skills as well.

LISTEN | One mother shares her son's journey to the workforce:

Jody Wheaton, who is the director of development and donor relations for Inclusion NB, said there’s a lot of demand for the program.

“We are looking to fund, certainly, a position because the demand has sort of exceeded what we can put out. So we are really looking to have another facilitator here in the Saint John region,” said Wheaton.

Inclusion NB hosted an event on Dec. 4 to help fundraise for their program and share success stories like Jaxson’s.

“To see Jaxson and to see how much that his group at the port love the guy and he's a teammate and he's no different than you and I if we went there to work," said Wheaton.

"So the message is, please, please take a chance.”

Inclusion NB raised more than $20,000 at the event and received great feedback, especially about Jaxson’s success story and others, she said.