“I’m Part of the Team. That’s What I am.”

I meet Jimmy Witwer at the back of the massive warehouse. Machines buzz in the background and slabs of lumber are stacked high on shelves. The scent of sawdust lingers in the summer air.

Despite the heat, Jimmy walks undeterred on his mission. With a bright smile, he greets a co-worker with a fist bump and then sweeps a clump of sawdust into a pile.  His co-worker remarks about Jimmy, “He’s really friendly.”

Through Lighthouse’s Small Group Employment Program, Jimmy works at Signature Custom Cabinetry. While the crafts people sand, drill and paint quality cabinetry, Jimmy keeps the warehouse clean.

Every weekday morning, Jimmy gathers wood scraps and recycles them, sweeps the sawdust, and takes out the trash.   Jimmy comes in every day and has been working in the janitorial service for five years.

Jimmy brings energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. His diligence helps to free up the cabinetmakers’ time so they can focus on their craft.

Soon it’s 11:30 am which is lunch time. Jimmy takes me to the bustling break room and sits down at a table at the front and center of the room—not in the corner tucked away. Several coworkers pour into the break room and greet him.  He seems to know everyone.

When asked how he typically starts his day, Jimmy says,“I put on my safety glasses first.”   He describes how safety is so important and that job coaches should wear glasses as well. He also speaks about doing his job carefully.  When it comes to filling the bin with the wood scraps, Jimmy has a philosophy: “It’s important to do it right. I put my wood in nice and balanced so we can fill it up.”

After working at Signature, Jimmy goes out in the community through the Community Participation Program in the afternoon. He goes to the library, shops at Park City or watches birds at Middle Creek.  He describes with joy how on one occasion a bird made eye contact with him.

Outside of work, Jimmy enjoys watching the Phillies and WWE. He also describes taking the trash out and emptying the recycling bin as one of his hobbies.

While speaking about his hobbies, another co-worker walks up to our table and teases him. “What are you doing with my shirt?” his co-worker asks.   Jimmy retorts, “That’s my shirt. Get your own, buddy boy.”  Like the other employees, Jimmy received his very own Fourth of July Tee shirt with a personalized sticker “Jimmy Witwer.”

His co-worker then asks him if he’s going to milkshake day on July 1, a company event. “You’re invited,” his co-worker says.  Jimmy springs out of his seat, runs to the bulletin board, and enthusiastically signs up.

Once he comes back, I ask Jimmy, “Do you feel like you’re part of the team?”  Jimmy answers confidently, “I am part of the team.”

Just by observing the culture at Signature, one can see that Jimmy is included.  From the coworkers greeting him, joking with him, his own Fourth of July shirt, the fist bumps and finally, being invited to milkshake day. It is evident: Jimmy doesn’t just work at Signature, he belongs there.

When I ask Jimmy if he has a dream job, Jimmy answers without hesitation: “I would work here. I like my work
because I see my friends here. I’m part of the team. That’s what I am. Part of the team.”

~Emily Bauman, Creative Marketing Specialist