It’s a typical afternoon at Jiffy Lube on Lancaster and State. Chris moves with quiet focus—wiping windows, clearing rags, and tidying the waiting area—while his Garten Services job coach, Doug, offers guidance. In just a short time, Chris has become a familiar, friendly face. Coworkers nod or call out, “Nice work, Chris!” and his smile says it all. After weeks of dedication, he’s now a permanent team member—and couldn’t be happier.

What Happens When Businesses Say Yes to Inclusion

Chris’s journey to Jiffy Lube began with a simple connection. James, the Fleet Manager, reached out to Alyssa, Garten’s Resource Development Manager, who then connected him with Job Developer Kati. She quickly thought of Chris—but instead of just placing him, they asked the key question: “Is this something you’d like to try?

Chris’s answer was yes. He jumped into the internship with curiosity and determination, and before long, it was clear he had found his rhythm. The work came naturally, and he enjoyed being part of the team. As his internship neared its end, the question shifted from What’s next? to How do we keep him here?

The answer came from Jiffy Lube itself. Recognizing his hard work and positive presence, the shop offered Chris a permanent position. Since then, his role has continued to grow, with new responsibilities added step by step. What started as a trial run has become a lasting opportunity—one that Chris is proud to call his own.

Finding His Place at Jiffy Lube

When asked what he enjoys most about his job, Chris puts it simply: “The reason I like to work here is because I know how to do the task. I like the stuff that I’m doing here.”

He started out as an intern, a little unsure of what to expect. But almost right away, Chris felt at ease. “The guys joke with me. I feel comfortable with the tasks and the employees. And I’m an employee now.” That sense of belonging has only grown stronger since his first day.

The training process wasn’t without its challenges—Chris describes it as “a slow process”—but his patience and willingness to learn paid off. With the steady support of his job coach and his own determination, he mastered one responsibility after another. His team at Garten often says one of Chris’s strengths is that he’s never afraid to ask questions, a quality that’s helped him grow into his role.

Today, Chris’s responsibilities range from vacuuming and tidying up the shop to washing windows and keeping the customer area spotless. Recently, he’s even started learning how to put oil in cars—something he’s proud to add to his list of skills.

And perhaps the best part? Getting hired has brought out a whole new side of him. His team has noticed he’s happier, more confident, and excited to show up for work each day.

Coaching and Growing Independence

For Chris, having a Garten job coach by his side has been an important part of the journey. Doug, who works closely with him, recalls those first days: “Early on, it was just getting familiar with Chris, but Chris is very self-motivated and has an excellent work ethic.”

That drive hasn’t gone unnoticed. The team at Jiffy Lube quickly picked up on Chris’s dedication, and as Doug explains, his role as a coach became less about oversight and more about encouragement.“Once he becomes familiar with the task, he develops a lot of independence. You just kind of let him flourish. It’s really more about supporting his independence than anything else.”

Beyond mastering his responsibilities, Chris has also built strong connections with his coworkers. Doug notes that those relationships have developed naturally, a testament to Chris’s openness and the welcoming environment at the shop. Together, they’ve created a workplace where Chris is not only successful but thriving.

A Ripple Effect in the Community

Chris’s success at Jiffy Lube is more than just one person finding the right job; it’s a reminder of what’s possible when businesses open their doors to people with disabilities. Partnerships like this show that companies can gain excellent, dependable workers while helping create meaningful opportunities for individuals eager to contribute.

When stories like Chris’s are shared, they spark something bigger. Other employers begin to see that offering an internship or giving someone a chance is not only doable, but rewarding. As Kati put it: “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But if it does—and Chris is proof that it can—it shows other businesses that they can do it too.”

By stepping forward, Jiffy Lube has set an example for the Salem community—one that will hopefully inspire many more employers to say yes to inclusion, yes to opportunity, and yes to building workplaces where everyone belongs.

Thank You, Jiffy Lube

We’re grateful to Jiffy Lube for leading by example and showing what inclusive employment can look like in action. By welcoming Chris onto the team, they’ve not only gained a dedicated employee, but they’ve also helped strengthen the community by proving that everyone deserves the chance to succeed.

Ready to Partner With Garten?

If you’re a business owner or manager, you can be part of stories like Chris’s. Partnering with Garten means opening the door to a talented, motivated workforce—and making a lasting difference in your community.

Learn how your business can benefit from inclusive hiring here.

Together, we can create more opportunities, celebrate more success stories, and continue building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive.