After a frustrating summer working the counter at a baseball concession stand, Patrick had no clear picture of what meaningful work actually looked like. Everything changed when the City of Columbia Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) program matched him with an internship at The Bluffs, a senior living community.
With guidance from his Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) Support Coordinator, Nicole Davidson, who connected Patrick to supports and services over the years, Patrick discovered his strengths, mastered key job skills and stepped toward a promising future.
Nicole began working with Patrick in 2021 and has enjoyed watching him grow through opportunities tailored to his interests and goals.
“He attended several EnCircle classes, including Wii Sports and Slow Down with Sound,” said Nicole. “These classes helped him interact with same-aged peers in a safe environment.”
Those early opportunities to socialize and build confidence prepared Patrick for his next step: the paid internship through the CARE Program. Through Boone County Family Resources’ collaboration with the City of Columbia, the individuals served by BCFR can participate in a year-round internship program that helps teens build work skills and gain meaningful experience so they’re prepared for employment in the community. Patrick was matched with The Bluffs where he immediately found work that aligned with his passions.
“When we first met, we spent time learning about Patrick’s interests,” said Drew Turner, an employment specialist with the City of Columbia’s CARE Program. “It’s always great if we can find a business a student is genuinely interested in. Patrick knew exactly what he wanted to do.”
Unlike many students who are interested in restaurants or childcare, Patrick had a different answer.
“His interest was older people,” Drew said. “He got along great with older adults, so we looked at The Bluffs, and it worked out perfectly.”
The placement quickly became much more than a job. As a life enrichment intern, Patrick spent his days playing bingo and card games, building puzzles, watching documentaries, taking walks with residents and helping transport them to activities. He also assisted the front desk by delivering paperwork, organizing supplies and stepping in wherever help was needed.
“I basically got to be like a grandkid to residents who didn’t have much time with other kids,” Patrick said. “That was really nice.”
His compassion left a lasting impression.
“Patrick is extremely selfless,” Drew said. “He’s dedicated to his work and built a rapport with the residents. He even bought LEGO sets with his own money to build with residents, and when his internship ended, he left them behind for everyone to enjoy. That really shows the kind of person he is.”
Patrick’s kindness extended beyond planned activities. During one of his volunteer rounds checking on residents, he discovered a resident who had fallen.
“He acted quickly, followed the proper procedures, and got someone who could help,” Drew said. “He made an absolutely meaningful impact.”
Like any new employee, Patrick also encountered challenges.
“There was one complaint near the last two months because I broke a few things, including a chair,” Patrick recalled. “Drew and I had a great one-on-one talk about it. He made everything simple and easier to understand. He listened to my perspective and helped figure out how to move forward and prevent it from happening again.”
Drew believes moments like those are an important part of learning.
“When things happen, it’s realistic to work through the solution with support,” he said. “It helps students build problem-solving skills they’ll use throughout life. Never once did I think it was going to be anything drastic. Patrick is an awesome kid—honest, hardworking—and I made sure he knew that.”
Throughout his internship, Nicole received monthly progress reports documenting Patrick’s continued growth.
“At first, he struggled with following directions,” she said. “Each month, expectations and goals were discussed with Patrick, and every following progress report showed improvement. Patrick continued to excel and grow. He made an impact at his internship and became close to the residents at The Bluffs.”
Drew credits Patrick’s success not only to his determination but also to the strong support surrounding him.
“He definitely has a good support system,” Drew said. “His parents knew when to step in and when to step back so Patrick could advocate for himself. That balance was really great.”
Today, Patrick is preparing for another exciting milestone as he prepares to attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) in a non-degree program focused on hands-on building and independent living skills.
“I’m excited about college,” Patrick said. “During a camp there, I tried indoor rock climbing for the first time, and I actually made it to the top of one of the climbing walls. That was a lot of fun.”
Nicole is excited to see what comes next.
“I am so excited for Patrick to attend the Life Skills & Leadership Development program,” she said. “He’ll get to live on campus, experience college life and meet so many new people.”
Although Patrick is looking ahead, he already knows where he’d like his career to lead.
“I really enjoyed working at The Bluffs,” he said. “I’m bummed that I had to stop. My plan is probably to go back after getting my degree.”