There’s something really special about watching someone find their confidence, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen in Anthony over the past few years. His mom, Masako, said, “When he first started Mychals’ program 3 years ago, he was very quiet, shy, and unsure of himself but now he has grown to be a very confident man!” Indeed, it took time for Anthony to feel comfortable with new people and unfamiliar activities, but little by little, he began to open up.
It was this year that something clicked. Anthony started stepping outside of his comfort zone in a way that truly impressed all of us. He performed on stage in Tangled; The Musical, even though he was nervous. That moment felt like a big win – not just because of the performance itself, but because of the courage it took to do it.
Along the way, Anthony has also taken part in job training across all of our social enterprises. At Mychal’s Print & Embroidery, his favorite of the three, he took an interest in the process of embroidering. This isn’t altogether surprising, as he dreams of becoming an artist one day. At the Café, he helps polish and roll silverware, always with care and attention to detail. And in the Bakery, he learned how to make chocolate-covered bananas.
Masako also told us, “He has learned so many real-life skills such as cooking, shopping, handling money, gardening, dancing, you name it. He even helps me cook at home and makes his own breakfast and dinner”. It’s clear he’s developing skills that go far beyond our walls. It’s habits like these that will continue to serve him well throughout his life, and Mychal’s will always support him on his path to independence.
His ASP supervisor said, “Anthony has built confidence and continues to step out of his comfort zone to try new things.” He really has shown so much growth this year, and we are all so proud of him. “His personality has also changed positively. He is funny, smart, kind, and full of great energy”, his mom added.
Mychal’s, to Anthony, means “love and support, responsibility, and positivity”. We see that reflected in how he shows up every day, even when things feel a little uncertain. Watching him grow has been such a joy, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him!
