By Jack Aceto
In the aisles of the Oak Hill Ace Hardware, amongst the rows of tools and the vibrant displays of paint chips, a different kind of building took place last school year. It wasn’t a home improvement project or a garden renovation; it was the development of workplace confidence and increased independence for a Scarborough High School (SHS) student named Chris.
A similar experience unfolded just down the road at the Oak Hill Hannaford store. There, Customer Service Manager Dan Hebert has become a big supporter of our initiative to provide workplace employment experiences for students with disabilities. In April, Dan invited Ava, a 12th grader, to begin a work experience involving tasks related to the front end of the store. Ava learned on the job, tackling the front-end duties of a bustling grocery store. As she prepared to attend STRIVE U this summer, Ava learned the rhythms of retail—restocking the checkout area, cleaning the café tables, and ensuring shopping carts and baskets are ready for the next customer.
Not far away, in the heart of Scarborough, Juliann Joy, the owner of Café Luna, also did her part to serve others. Her café specializes in smoothies, soups, sandwiches, and more, but Juliann is providing an even greater service, a place for SHS senior, Rushi, to practice and hone his job skills. Rushi learned to bus tables, wash dishes, serve orders, and clean up as customers come and go. Rushi enjoyed working at Café Luna, and he was very grateful for this “real-life” job experience.
In each of these workplaces, employers provided authentic opportunities. These amazing partners have discovered that low-risk, high-reward approaches to giving back to the community are not only beneficial to their business, they are uplifting to everyone involved.
From Classroom to Career
For many students with diverse learning needs, including those with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities, transitioning from school to the workplace can be daunting. Leaping from a structured academic environment to the fast-paced world of retail or hospitality requires patience and support.
“Partnerships with local businesses like Ace Hardware, Hannaford, and Café Luna are vital to our mission,” says the SHS transition team. “They provide a supportive workspace that has an immeasurable impact on a student’s skill development.”
Integration and Independence
What makes these experiences truly special is the way partner employers integrated students into their daily operations. Chris, Ava, and Rushi weren’t just observers; they were colleagues. Whether assisting with inventory management, meticulously organizing store displays, or navigating customer service needs, they gained hands-on experience that simply cannot be replicated in a school setting.
Over the course of the school year, staff observed a remarkable transformation in the students. Independence grew alongside professional communication skills. Seeing a student find their place in the workforce is a highlight for our job skill development programs, proving that every student can thrive.
A “Helpful Place” for the Community
Ace Hardware has long been “the helpful place” for its customers, but last year, they, along with Hannaford and Café Luna, proved to be helpful for our community’s workforce as well. Their commitment to inclusivity sets a powerful example for other businesses, demonstrating that a little patience and a welcoming workspace can change a student’s life.
As we look forward to the 2026-2027 school year, we extend our deepest thanks to Rebecca Wood of Ace Hardware, Dan Hebert, Juliann Joy, and all of their employees and coworkers. They didn’t just find tasks to keep students busy; they’ve helped young members of our community build pathways to more fulfilling and enriching lives.
Interested in partnering with the SHS’s Life Skills program to build bright futures?
Contact Jack Acetois, Transition Specialist at Scarborough High School: 207-730-5132 or jaceto@scarboroughschools.org.
Top photo: Rushi (center) with Luna co-workers Jack and Reid. Photo courtesy of Scarborough High School.
