The Right Support | Garrett’s Story
Published Janaury 30, 2026
Garrett enrolled at Merrick with a clear goal: to find meaningful employment in his community. With guidance from Merrick’s employment services team, he began turning that goal into a plan. Confident in his strengths—his friendliness, determination, and strong work ethic—Garrett knew that with the right support, he could make a real difference.
Today, Garrett proudly serves on the Nutrition Services Team at Mariner Middle School in White Bear Lake. His success didn’t happen overnight. Through Merrick, Garrett was matched with employment opportunities that built his skills and confidence while providing ongoing coaching and support along the way.
Before joining Mariner, Garrett worked at Vadnais Heights Elementary School. While the day-to-day responsibilities were similar, the experience felt very different. With just a two-person team, Garrett handled the dishes on his own while his co-worker served food. The lack of teamwork made the work feel isolating, and small frustrations—like students refusing to stack trays properly—added up. Throughout this time, Merrick staff checked in with Garrett, listened to his concerns, and helped him advocate for what he needed to succeed.
That support made all the difference when Garrett transitioned to Mariner Middle School in 2025. Working closely with Merrick, Garrett found a placement that better matched his strengths and desire for teamwork. At Mariner, he joined a collaborative nutrition services team that truly supports one another. Rather than working in isolation, co-workers take turns assisting him in the dishwashing area and consistently recognize his dedication, positive attitude, and thoroughness.
Even the small frustrations that once weighed him down were met with creativity and humor. When students continued to mishandle their trays, Garrett’s co-workers made a special sign in his honor demonstrating the correct way to stack them—and it worked. With the right environment and continued support, Garrett’s work became not just manageable, but meaningful, and he thrived.
Outside of work, Garrett channels his energy into another passion: farming. For several summers, he has volunteered at 21 Roots Farm, caring for livestock and tending gardens alongside other adults with disabilities. The teamwork, patience, and responsibility he practices through Merrick-supported employment carry over naturally to the farm, and the experience has sparked his interest in a possible future career in agriculture.
At just 25, Garrett has already made a lasting impact on his community and his co-workers. His journey shows what’s possible when determination is met with the right guidance and support. Merrick is proud to walk alongside Garrett as he builds his future—and we can’t wait to see where he goes next.