The Right Support | Garrett’s Story
Published February 1, 2026
In 2024, Garrett enrolled at Merrick with a clear goal: to continue maintaining meaningful employment in his community. At the time, he was working in Nutrition Services at an elementary school. With guidance from Merrick’s employment services team, Garrett began reflecting more intentionally about what he needed to thrive at work. Confident in his strengths—his friendliness, determination, and strong work ethic—Garrett knew that with the right support, he could make a real difference.
While Garrett valued having a job, his experience working at the elementary school presented challenges that ultimately taught him valuable lessons about the type of workplace where he could truly succeed. Working with just a two-person team, Garrett washed dishes alone 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 job coaches checked in with Garrett, listened to his concerns, and helped him advocate for the support he needed.
That guidance made all the difference when Garrett transitioned to Mariner Middle School in 2025, where he is now a proud member of the cafeteria staff. Though his day-to-day tasks remain similar, the experience is remarkably different. At Mariner, he joined a collaborative nutrition services team that genuinely supports one another. 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 team 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.