For the first time in a long time, Roger feels comfortable working. Suffering from schizophrenia for part of his adult life, Roger has faced many challenges. From the first time I dealt with this client to where he is now, it would be an unjust to call his progress anything less than extraordinary. With his barriers to employment, in 2009 he became a client of The West Nova Inclusive Employment Society (WNIES), with the intent of owning and operating his own business. Unfortunately due to his schizophrenia, the challenges of running his own business were too much for the client to undertake.

With the idea of running his own business out the picture, the client was approached by WNIES with the idea of joining an ongoing social enterprise project in attempts to make his transition into employment easier. The project, dubbed the “Snack Attack,” is a program where clients deliver and maintain snack boxes within their communities at various businesses in efforts to learn essential skills needed to work in today’s economy. Although lacking confidence in his own ability, he was willing to learn. With the client’s willingness to succeed, it was an easy decision for the WNIES staff to let the client join the “Snack Attack” program. WNIES helped the client to excel in many aspects including inventory, keeping stock, handling money, time management and working with people in the community.

The client has been an asset to the “Snack Attack” program. With his success, and that of another, the “Snack Attack” program has decided to go ahead and hire a third employee to meet their high demands. On March 31, Roger had help to generate more than $1300 in sales and over $500 in working capital, with the remainder of the funds being reinvested into building the business purchasing more equipment and stock. Now the client is managing three baskets in three separate businesses and is currently looking for more businesses to host his snack boxes.

As the clients Employment Maintenance Counselor (EMC), I have been able to see the dramatic transformation that Roger has been able to achieve in only three months. From being extremely shy and improperly dressed on day one, to now walking in prim and proper with a smile on his face and greeting everyone in our office (where he has placed one of his baskets). Roger continues to progress and enjoy each and every day of his employment. However, there has only been one problem with the “Snack Attack” program being in our office - our waistlines.