Ethan’s Success Story

Ethan, an 18-year-old from Tyler, MN, is known by his family as funny, clever, and kind. As he entered his senior year of high school, his family wanted to make sure his schedule included meaningful experiences that would prepare him for life after graduation. They knew he had a strong work ethic, which he had already shown while helping at the high school concession stand, but they also knew he would benefit from extra guidance to build his confidence and independence.

Ethan is autistic, which sometimes makes social interactions and remembering multi-step tasks more challenging. Still, with the right support, he has consistently shown that he can thrive. That’s why enrolling him in the Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) and Youth at Work through the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (PIC) felt like the perfect fit. With the help of his case manager, Ethan was connected to a work-study opportunity at Maynards.

The PIC program, combined with the patience and encouragement of his manager at Maynards, gave Ethan the tools he needed to fine-tune his skills and work behaviors. Soon, he was sharing daily “work adventures” at home, stories about stocking shelves, receiving deliveries, and helping customers. It was clear the job gave him a sense of pride, purpose, and something to look forward to each day.

By the end of the school year and into the summer, Ethan had proven that he could be a productive and valued member of the Maynards team, something his family always believed he was capable of. His manager agreed, and happily offered him a permanent position.

Today, Ethan is thriving in his role at Maynards and is proud to be part of his community’s workforce. His family is grateful for the support of the PIC program, which helped guide him on this path. With meaningful opportunities and the right encouragement, Ethan has shown that he can achieve his goals and build a bright future.

(Success story written in part by a family member of Ethan’s)