Damian had recently moved to Calgary from Canmore, Alberta.

He has Asperger’s Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and has struggled with reading and writing. Sometimes he gets overwhelmed with tasks and the order he needs to complete them, and found he does best when he has tasks broken down step-by-step so he can follow along and complete them correctly.

Damian learned about Neil Squire from a community presentation and joined the Working Together program to find work.

With past work experience and a love for cooking, Damian wanted to find full-time employment in a kitchen, employment that would be meaningful to him and allow him to grow.

Working with a Job Developer, Damian worked on his resume and cover letter, learning to tailor the documents to the specifications of job postings to increase his chances of an interview. He practiced marketing himself and the interview process. Through Working Together, he also explored wellness topics such as communication skills, self-care techniques, and disclosing disabilities to employers and requesting accommodations in the workplace.

Damian’s hard work, passion, and dedication soon paid off. He was offered a full-time position as a line cook in Calgary using his skills and passion to cook and create delicious dishes. Damian says he is thankful for his time in the Working Together program, and that his one-on-one job development support helped him reach his goals and kept him motivated to succeed.