Bobby’s Story: Finding Confidence through Work and Music

When asked to say something about himself, Bobby Roberts didn’t hesitate: “I like music. I like sports.”

Bobby, who is usually spotted with a pair of headphones, has an eclectic taste in music ranging from opera, heavy metal, classical, pop to Elvis.

For Bobby, music isn’t just a hobby; it’s his passion. It’s the background sounds he hears while he assembles fire safety kits, folds corner boards or works in the community.

Bobby started working in the Vocational Training Program (VT) in 2022. When he first started, staying focused was a challenge. Over the last four years, he grew in both speed and accuracy. But just as importantly, he gained skills to help him thrive in the workforce.

Vocational Training Staff Phyllis Whitton watched him firsthand: “He always doubted himself, but he has grown in confidence.”

That confidence shows up in the way he treats people around him. He is quick to say hello, respects people’s boundaries and brings a caring nature to the people around him. “Bobby has empathy and sympathy for our people. If someone is upset, he reassures them with ‘it’s okay’,” Phyllis added.

Through Vocational Training, Bobby discovered a variety of jobs he’s good at – from packaging school kits, folding corner boards or assembling fire safety kits. His favorite job is working on “Cappy” the fire safety dog kit. “I’m really good at Cappy and Alert-All and really fast,” Bobby says.

It’s that growth that prepared Bobby for working in the community through Small Group Employment. When he first started working offsite, he felt unsure of himself, but grew more confident through time. Today, he works at a variety of jobs including the assembly line at Smart Partners, fulfilling orders at Alert-All, or custodial work at Signature Custom Cabinetry.

When asked about his favorite job, he said without hesitation, “Signature.”  There, Bobby helps keep the woodshop clean by picking up wood scraps, taking out trash and recycling materials.

In addition to work opportunities, Bobby discovered another place to shine: singing.

Bobby loves music and at one point aspires to sing opera. On June 9 he performed a solo at Garden Spot Village. With a powerful deep voice, he sang “What a Wonderful World”and “Beauty and the Beast.” One day  Bobby hopes to sing the Phantom of the Opera songs:  “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You.”

When not at work or singing, Bobby enjoys walking outdoors, playing video games and watching sports: baseball, basketball and football. He lives with his parents and has a brother and three dogs. Bobby looks forward to taking a trip to Disney World with his family, especially visiting Epcot and sampling food from the countries around the world.

When asked if he had a dream job, Bobby said “working at the Ephrata Record Connection so I can help people find the CDs that they want.”

It will be exciting to see where Bobby’s love of music will take him. Whether he’s learning a new skill, working in the community or singing a song, Bobby continues to inspire us with his growth, confidence and sheer talent.

~Emily Bauman, Creative Marketing Specialist