Chase Finds His Path Forward

Chase is the kind of person who lights up when he talks about electronics, curious, motivated, and eager to learn. While a student in the Lee’s Summit School District’s G.R.E.A.T. Program (Gaining Real-life Experience And Training), he was referred to CSL for support in finding employment that matched his interests and strengths.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program serves students ages 18–21 who are learning essential independent living skills: cooking, cleaning, money management, employment readiness, and community involvement. Chase showed up ready to grow.

Working with his CSL Employment Specialist, Chase completed Discovery and Exploration, where he identified the types of work environments that helped him thrive. He realized he enjoyed stocking and retail, something he already had a taste of after three years of volunteering at Hillcrest Thrift Store. There, he gained hands-on experience in customer service, stocking, and production. His instincts were right: he had the skillset and the passion for this kind of work.

And now he’s bringing those strengths into a brand-new opportunity.

We’re thrilled to share that Chase has been hired by Walmart as an Apparel Associate, where he’ll assist customers, stock merchandise, and continue building confidence and independence.

This is a milestone worth celebrating, and just the beginning for Chase.

Way to go, Chase! We’re cheering you on every step of the way.