Always Improving: Jason’s Drive to Keep Growing

When Jason, a young adult on the autism spectrum, first entered the New Frontier program in 2017, he wasn’t just searching for a job; he was looking for a challenging environment where he could learn, grow, and thrive. Since joining Home Depot in 2021, Jason has excelled—and now, he’s ready for his next big step: finding a second job.  

Although Jason enjoys his position at Home Depot, even earning Employee of the Month for his hard work, he has his sights set on obtaining a more exciting and demanding role in addition to his current job where he can keep pushing his limits and achieve his goals.  

“In my eyes, I want to challenge myself with a busier environment like retail,” Jason said. “I’d like to see where my skill set can lead me towards.” 

Many of the skills Jason uses in his job search were developed through the New Frontier program, which also continues to support his success at Home Depot, which is noticed by his supervisors.

“Jason is a valuable asset to any organization and has been a treasured member of my team,” said Jason’s Supervisor at Home Depot Michael Vargas. “He prides himself on driving standards for customer service, store presentation, and safety practices. He has excelled in these areas and now coaches new associates. Jason is a valuable member of team who has helped impact the growth of our business.”

“New Frontier has been helping me with improvements on how to keep moving with my job,” Jason said on his success at Home Depot. “They teach me tactics and things I can learn to help me.” 

These tactics not only support Jason’s confidence but help him navigate challenges on the job. Jason’s Job Coach from Birch assists him in various ways,  from communicating more effectively with his supervisors to handling social dynamics in the workplace and staying on track with his performance. It’s a partnership that’s shaped not just his skills, but his outlook. 

“New Frontier has helped me see so much of my own potential and what I can work on,” said Jason. “I can see myself being hired without my disability being considered.” 

“Jason is very hard working and determined,” added Job Coach Jawairia Diaz. “If he puts his mind to it, he can achieve it.”  

For Jason, reaching his goals doesn’t come from perfection but progress. Even with years of work experience under his belt, he hasn’t stopped trying to improve himself.  

“I always try to reach the goals that I want, to be where I want to be,” Jason said. “No matter how well I am doing at work, I still strive for improvement.” 

As the nation marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Jason had a simple message for employers, and for individuals with disabilities to believe in their own potential. 

“Give people with disabilities a shot,” Jason says. “Take the time to get to know them, see what their strengths are, and take things slowly.”  

“If you have a disability, don’t let that discourage you,” Jason added. “Be great at your own pace.”