When John* first came to Wyandot Center, his goal was clear: to end his reliance on Social Security and return to school. After spending years working on cars with a loved one who has since passed away, John was eager to put that knowledge and experience to work and take another step forward. John worked at an automotive shop, but he knew he wanted to do more and he was eager to take the next step in his life.
"I always wanted to go back to school," he shared.
Through Wyandot Center’s Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program, John found the support he needed to get back on track.
The IPS program's goal is to support individuals in achieving their educational and career goals. Vocational consultants help consumers find jobs that fit their interest and their life situation, while also providing support on resume and interview preparation and even workplace accommodations.
For John’s goals, the program was a perfect fit for him. Once he started school, his motivation skyrocketed.
"It was just amazing,” said Angela Knight, his vocational consultant. “He was up every morning, texting me that he was on his way to school."
John didn’t miss a single day of class. He would wake up at 5:30 in the morning, leave the house by 6, and arrive at school before his instructors. After school, he'd go straight to work until 6 p.m., six days a week.
John’s dedication paid off when he graduated with honors.
"I did everything I said I was going to do," he said with pride.
The IPS program helped him manage his student loans, allowing him to return to school and pursue his passion for cars.
Through his job at an automotive company, he also earns points as part of their employee rewards program, which he can use to buy things like oil changes or concert tickets. He was thrilled to find out he had enough points saved up to attend a Battle Beast concert he was excited about. The company covered the cost of the tickets plus a VIP upgrade, and he bought a shirt to remember the event.
Outside of work and school, John found time to pursue another goal: fixing up a car he had bought that didn’t run when he first purchased it. Any extra time he had was spent under the hood, working to restore it.
Now, John has his sights set on the future. John currently is housed through Kim Wilson Housing, which provides affordable housing solutions. John’s next goals are to move up in his position at the automotive shop and move into more permanent housing. With his strong work ethic, passion for cars, and clear vision, John is ready to take on the next chapter of his life.
*Name has been changed