This story originally appeared in the 2025 SOAR365 Annual Report. Click here to view a digital version of the report.
Through Supported Employment and the Walgreens Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI), Cheney found the perfect fit and a team that believes in him.
For Cheney, finding the right job was about more than just earning a paycheck, it was about finding his confidence and people who believe in him. Thanks to SOAR365’s Supported Employment program and a partnership with Walgreens, he’s now thriving in a role that brings out his best every day.
SOAR365’s Supported Employment program helps people with disabilities discover meaningful work opportunities in the community. Employment specialists guide each participant through every step, from identifying their interests and skills to interviewing, on-the-job coaching, and creating necessary accommodations and supports that ensure long-term success.
“Our Supported Employment team started six years ago, and since then we’ve grown astronomically,” says Lizzie Graham, a Supported Employment Specialist at SOAR365. “We go out and build relationships with businesses like Walgreens. We observe each person’s skills and match them to the right environment. It’s my favorite part — getting to know participants and helping them find a job they’re going to love. We want people to work where their skills and passions meet.”
When Lizzie met Cheney, she quickly saw his potential. He was eager to work, especially in a stocking role, but he needed the right opportunity, a place where he could learn without judgment and feel supported. Through the Walgreens REDI Program, a corporate initiative that provides training and experience for people with disabilities, that opportunity came to life.
“I got a call from Walgreens corporate asking if I could sponsor a young man through SOAR365,” recalls Angie Chubb, Store Manager at a Walgreens in the Tuckahoe area. “They told me a little about the program, and I just said, I have to do this. It’s so important to give somebody a chance to develop their skills.”
From the start, Cheney’s positivity and infectious smile shone through. “His personality is definitely his biggest strength,” Lizzie says. “He’s very funny and he knows it.”
With Lizzie’s guidance and Angie’s encouragement, Cheney began learning new skills and gaining confidence every day. His daily responsibilities include restocking shelves, checking expiration dates, placing price stickers, and helping with other store duties.
“Cheney was a joy from day one,” Angie adds. “He just makes you smile. My whole team got behind him and helped him with whatever he needed.”
Over time, Cheney began handling unexpected changes and challenges with confidence. Lizzie remembers a day when a customer approached Cheney to ask for help finding an item. “He didn’t hesitate. He said, ‘OK,’ walked them to the aisle, and when he couldn’t find it, he went to get help. He was polite, professional, and confident,” she says. “His parents were floored when I told them. He’s come such a long way.”
Cheney takes pride in his work and knows he’s truly part of a team. “He’s one of us now,” Angie says. “When he finishes a task, he’ll give us high-fives or fist bumps. We all pitch in to help him succeed, and that’s what it’s all about.”
That collaboration between SOAR365 and Walgreens has been powerful for everyone involved. “Working with Lizzie and SOAR365 has been an eye-opener,” Angie adds. “We talk often, make sure Cheney has what he needs, and we celebrate his success together. I’m so passionate about this. I just hope I can do more.”
For both Lizzie and Angie, Cheney’s journey has been a reminder of what’s possible when people are given a chance to show what they can do. “It makes a difference in somebody’s life and in ours,” Angie says. “Anybody who has the opportunity to get involved should do it.”
For SOAR365, stories like Cheney’s are what the Supported Employment program is all about: helping people discover their interests, achieve independence, and feel the pride that comes with meaningful work. “Everybody deserves that chance,” Lizzie says. “Once people realize what’s possible, everything changes.”
With determination, smiles, and a strong support system, Cheney has found more than just a job — he’s found a place where he belongs, and a community that believes in him.
To learn more about SOAR365’s Supported Employment program, click here. And to keep up to date on all things SOAR365, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
