When you meet Zach, one of the first things you notice is his focus and determination. He’s a young man of 21 who truly enjoys learning new things and challenging himself. Zach joined Mychal’s in the spring of 2025, ready to take the next step toward building real job skills and finding meaningful work. Since then, he’s begun job training at Mychal’s Café, where he spends Fridays organizing merchandise, folding shirts, and helping with coffee beans and granola. Path To Independence Adult Program Supervisor Bridgett says, “He’s doing a great job”, and it’s clear he likes his role. No matter what the task, Zach approaches it with care, curiosity, and a steady drive to get it right.
Before joining Mychal’s, Zach worked at Green Hills, where he cleaned and dried monuments – work that required patience and attention to detail. He also volunteered at Ivy Park Senior Living Community, helping residents with daily activities and games like bingo. These experiences gave Zach a taste of responsibility and service, and they’ve shaped his appreciation for meaningful, hands-on work.
Zach’s dream job is to work at Barnes & Noble, surrounded by books, movies, and games – all the things he loves most. A true reader, he’s currently diving into Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, and his favorite movie right now is Apollo 13. He also enjoys classic rock bands like Queen, the Eagles, and Kansas, and often listens to music or audiobooks through his noise-cancelling headphones.
Outside of work, Zach enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family – he lives in Torrance with his mom and older brother, Cory. At Mychal’s, he especially enjoys connecting with staff, learning about their interests, and finding common ground. He also loves the culinary class in the Path to Independence Adult Program, which lets him build kitchen skills and confidence.
When asked what he wants people to know about him, Zach says, “I’m a hardworking person.” And that’s exactly who he is – focused, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to grow. With guidance from Mychal’s Job Development and Readiness Supervisor, Anais Najera, Zach has been fine-tuning and updating his résumé. With her support, he’s also begun applying for local jobs, putting his new skills and confidence into action.
Whether he’s mastering new tasks at Mychal’s Café or taking on new challenges in class, Zach is building the foundation for a bright future. With his curiosity, drive, and commitment to learning, there’s no doubt – the sky’s the limit for Zach.
