Darius has been part of the Mychal’s family for years. He first joined our After School Program, then continued on to Path to Independence (P2I), where he built life skills, explored new interests, and gained confidence along the way. Today, Darius is a proud employee at Mychal’s Café, where he is learning new skills, working alongside a team, and earning a paycheck of his very own.
Darius’s work at the Café started with washing dishes. It wasn’t his favorite task at first, and like many new skills, it took some practice. But Darius stuck with it and gradually began taking on more responsibilities in the kitchen. These days, cooking is his favorite part of the job, especially making pancakes! He can also make paninis, egg sandwiches, and breakfast burritos, while helping with dishes, sweeping, taking out the trash, and all the other little things that help keep the Café running. Now, he’s ready to take on even more challenging recipes and is always eager to please.
His love of cooking doesn’t stop when he clocks out. During COVID, Darius joined Mychal’s virtual cooking demonstrations alongside his sister, giving him a chance to practice his skills from home. His mom, Darlene, has watched his interest in cooking grow over the years and describes him as her sous chef. When she’s cooking, Darius is often nearby, watching, bringing over the spices she asks for, and letting her know what sounds good for dinner. Those little moments have become a wonderful reflection of how much he has grown. Darius is more confident speaking up, sharing his opinions, and taking an active role in the kitchen. And perhaps his love of cooking comes naturally. Darius’s maternal grandfather was a chef on a ship, so there’s a little family history behind the joy he’s found in the kitchen. It’s pretty special to see that love of cooking continue with Darius today.
For Darius, Mychal’s is about more than just the work. He loves coming to Mychal’s main building for the P2I Program once a week to see his friends and play games, and his family has become a familiar part of our community, too. Every year, Darius and his family participate in the Annual Santa Stroll, where he especially enjoys getting up on stage and singing alongside other Mychal’s students. He also stays active outside of Mychal’s through Special Olympics, Infinity Special Arts, and Love Beyond Autism.
When he’s not working or cooking, Darius has plenty of things he enjoys, but his biggest passion is trains. Darius has a train collection, but what really gets him excited is his train simulator on the computer. He loves spending time on the simulator and taking on the role of the conductor, guiding the train along its route and staying in charge of where it goes next. It’s a hobby he clearly enjoys, and one that lets him dive into a world he loves.
When we asked Darius what makes him happy, his answer was simple: “the restaurant.” Mychal’s Café is his first job, a place where he gets to cook, spend time with friends, be part of a team, and earn a paycheck. Darius is proud of the work he does and excited to keep learning. His journey from After School Program student to Café employee is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to build skills, discover what they enjoy, and find a place where they belong. We’re so proud of Darius and can’t wait to see what he cooks up next!
