At 9:30 a.m. Sam starts his weekdays with a strict routine. He wakes up, eats breakfast while watching one of his favorite shows, “Dennis the Menace,” gets ready for the day and at 10:40 a.m., he heads to work.
His consistency is a trait that helps him get started every morning and makes him a great employee at the popular catering and lunch restaurant in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Orange Clover Kitchen and More.
Sam’s mother, Millie, helped him find his job at Orange Clover. Since he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at a young age, Millie and Sam’s family have made it a priority to never let his disability keep him from living a fulfilling life.
In January 2018, Millie found VOA Community – our program working to end isolation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them build meaningful connections with their community. Our VOA team has worked with Sam and his family to help him get involved with activities and people outside of his home.
From weightlifting at his local YMCA to bowling and mini golf, Sam’s extracurricular activities have helped him form connections with amazing people. But, by far his favorite place to be is with his work family at Orange Clover.
“Sam is really wonderful at keeping a very happy milieu. Which is really nice in a stressful kitchen,” said Rachel Hall Smallwood, owner of Orange Clover. He started at the restaurant two years ago and has become an essential member of their team.
He cleans dishes, rolls silverware and helps serve customers. “Sam is the best employee I have,” she said. “He goes out of his way to make sure everyone on the team is taken care of.”
The connections Sam has cultivated at work and in his community have given him an identity that’s beyond his disability. He has a voice and meaningful relationships that keep him from being isolated.
“He’s giving and he’s good. He makes us all better people,” said Rachel. “I think everybody should have a Sam in their lives.”
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