Feature Issue on Employment and IDD

I grew up in Red Wing but came to Duluth in 2010 to live with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew after my mom passed. When I started at Udac in 2013, I was doing mostly paper shredding. Then in 2020, we closed because of the pandemic.

Two years ago, I started working with a career coach at Udac and we talked about my interests. I told them I like sports and that I’m a huge [University of Minnesota-Duluth] Bulldogs hockey fan. My coach saw that the arena where they play, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, was hiring for a guest services job. My coach said I might not get hired the first time I tried, but I actually did, and I’ve been there for two years now.

For events like concerts and games, I scan tickets. We have a scanner that reads the ticket and if it beeps, then we know it’s good. I check in several times each shift with a job coach, but we’re working to [reduce that support]. When I first started, I had someone with me the whole time.

I really like the excitement and the crowds when it gets really packed. I’m out there dancing to the music and cheering for the Bulldogs.

I interviewed for the job, and I remember I really wanted to work there. My family was really proud when I got the job, and they are supportive of me being involved in the community. I’m in a garden club and do a lot of volunteering, including helping out with Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth.

I like working a lot more now than I did before this job. I take a taxi to work by myself and I like the people I work with. They feel like family to me now. Of course, it’s nice to be paid, too. It helps me go out to eat sometimes, or pays for a camp I want to go to.