OUTLOOK
The Official Newsletter for Supporters of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Fall 2014
You Help People Like Jake When You Give to Goodwill Learn About His Extraordinary Talent
Building His Models Jake likes to build. Specifically, he builds intricate, fullscale models of mansions using balsa wood and his own remarkable abilities. His models are truly amazing. “When I was younger, I didn’t feel that I could do anything,” says Jake. “But when I got into this, I thought that I found my niche in being able to do something that not everybody else can do.” Jake was born with Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition that can lead to intellectual disabilities, seizures or other medical problems. For Jake, its impact on him is simple to explain. “I had to learn slower than most,” he says. “But I could still learn.” What’s most incredible about Jake is not what he has learned. It’s what he has achieved. His ability to build elaborate models is extraordinary. But to him, it’s one of many accomplishments in his life. He’s married. He can drive. And as his time with Goodwill has shown, Jake can hold down a job.
PHOTO BY KEVIN R. CONVEY
You could live your whole life and never be lucky enough to meet a person like Jake. He is skilled. He is patient. Most importantly, he is determined. He has never let his disabilities stand in his way. Thanks to donors like you, Jake also has a job. He found it by coming to Goodwill, and it’s one of the reasons he’s maximizing his independence today. You help individuals overcome barriers to employment each time you give to Goodwill. You offer them a chance to seek independence and dignity through work — and for someone like Jake that chance means a lot.
Your gifts are the reason Goodwill is able to help people like Jake — who has the remarkable ability to build intricately detailed models from scratch.
Doing His Job As a janitor at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, MA, Jake has a job he enjoys. He had previous work experience when he came to Goodwill. He just needed help to get some additional training. “It makes me feel good that I’m needed,” says Jake about his job. “It takes me about two hours to get there, so that’s four hours of commute time. And when I’m there, I’m there for about four hours.” Jake was referred to Goodwill by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. He has worked through Goodwill’s AbilityOne program — a federal initiative that helps people with disabilities work on government contracts through various community rehabilitation agencies — ever since. continued on page 2
Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
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