Personal Stories

Katie

For Katie Waters, Roche Bros. Supermarket in West Roxbury is like a second home. Katie has been employed at the grocery store for 22 years, even working straight through the pandemic. Katie honed her employment skills at Lifeworks Employment Services in West Roxbury, shortly after graduating high school. She continues to take in-person classes at Lifeworks in health and wellness, social growth, and volunteerism. Always a willing volunteer, Katie joins other Lifeworks participants helping with the Meals on Wheels program each week on her day off from work. She also enjoys participating in visits to a local park or joining a Lifeworks bowling outing. Katie is also part of a group of Lifeworks participants that will be attending West Roxbury’s YMCA branch on a regular basis. Extremely outgoing, Katie makes friends with everyone she meets. At Roche Bros. Katie works as a bagger at the front-end, returns items to shelves and stacks baskets. A much loved and valued employee, Katie says she has made lots of friends at Roche Bros. with whom she shares lots of laughs. Katie grew up in West Roxbury, but now resides in Winthrop with six other housemates. In her spare time, Katie loves hanging out with her friends, crossword puzzles, taking walks, playing miniature golf and corn hole.

Cammi

Campbell or “Cammi” Matthews is a 2018 graduate of the Learning Prep School in West Newton. She became acquainted with staff at Lifeworks’ Family Autism Center in January 2019 upon a Department of Developmental Services referral. Cammi participates in a variety of peer groups led by Christine Baker, Assistant Director of the newly expanded Autism Support Center. She has traveled with the peer groups to New York City and Boston, gone apple picking and joined other young adults with Christine in the community for lunch, which Cammi says, has helped enhance her social skills and meet new friends. Cammi has worked at Star Market and TJ Maxx, but claims her favorite job is her current position at Home Goods in Westwood. She works flexible hours assisting customers with merchandise. Cammi worked right through the pandemic but is happy to see life slowly returning to normal. In her spare time, Cammi enjoys writing in her journal, as well as outdoor activities such as bike riding, and going on walks regularly. Cammi also loves photography, and baking. Cammi often hangs out with friends at the movies or shopping malls. A beach-lover, she often went on weekend get-a-ways with her family to Cape Cod in pre-pandemic times. Cammi lives at home in Dedham with her parents, grandparents and younger brother Tatum. In the near future she hopes to live on her own.

Tom

Lifeworks has been an integral part of Tom Warren’s life since receiving Early Intervention services as a young child through what was then Lifework’s sister agency, The Arc of South Norfolk. Tom’s mom Mercedes served as a Human Rights Committee member volunteer for The Arc.  A native of Medfield, Tom has three siblings. Outgrowing his previous group home in Dedham, earlier this year he moved into a Lifeworks group home and has found it to be a great fit.

Tom has participated in the William F. Abel Day Habilitation Program on Clapboardtree Street since 2014. He is very socially connected and in pre-pandemic times attended Hip Hop dances, bowling outings in both Millis and Norwood. He has also participated in bocce as well as backyard barbeques at Lifeworks.  Tom navigates technology with ease and has stayed in touch with friends through Zoom and FaceTime. Tom has quite an impressive resume. His first job was working at Stop & Shop for Peapod, followed by Ames, Target and the TJ Maxx Corporate office in the Accounts Payable department. Tom’s most recent job was at Kings Bowling at Legacy Place. Tom stays active by gardening, swimming, and bike riding. Tom loves to travel with his siblings and has taken trips to Disney in both California and Florida as well as a Disney Cruise.  Those who know Tom well, know he is quite the prankster and according to his sister Susan has great comedic timing. Tom is a fan of all the Boston sports teams especially the Red Sox and follows Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom loves spending time with his family especially his nieces and nephews.

Testimonials

Parent

Thanks so much for today! We all had a fabulous time most importantly Luke! Like I said, we never have the courage to try these things unless they are with a group.  Successful trips like this open up our world a lot!!

Parent

We are so grateful for all your guidance and support. Our recent family crisis was so stressful for us, and yet you always seemed to provide us with hope.

Parent

I would like you to know how much we appreciate you.  It is rare to have such a constant feature in our lives.  We are so blessed to witness the beauty in humanity exhibited by your staff. Thank you.

Parent

I would like to thank all of you at Lifeworks' Family Autism Center  and the folks at LoJack for sponsoring the holiday party on Sunday. We got to meet some new people and say hello to others we have not seen in a while.

Big Y

At Big Y, we are incredibly proud of the partnership we have at Lifeworks. It has been a pleasure working alongside them to hire qualified employees to fit our open positions.  Lifeworks has made this collaboration smooth and it has been an easy transition for these new employees joining our family.  Lifeworks has provided constant communication, support and follow thru with job coaching.  It has been a pleasure working with this organization.

Siemens Healthineers

Siemens Healthineers is honored to partner with Lifeworks to employ people with developmental disabilities as a vital part of our culture", said Chuck Fives, VP of Manufacturing for Laboratory Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers in Walpole. "Since 2015, it has been a very humbling and uplifting experience to work side by side with these individuals who bring a positive attitude, are filled with energy, and do their jobs well by helping our shipping department run smoothly every day they are here.  We're the lucky ones as they bring so much more to the meaning of work.