What's Happening - Seven Hills Foundation

Introducing this Week's Seven Hills Champion, Gary Cornwell, Job Coach, Stetson School

Written by Seven Hills Foundation | Mar 9, 2022 12:15:00 PM

Gary Cornwell has been an exemplary addition to the Seven Hills workforce since he was hired as an aide/behavioral counselor at Stetson School in May 2018. Yet, when the pandemic hit nearly two years later, Gary ramped up his professional game even more and pulled out all the stops to help. He was always willing to stay late, interact with COVID-positive youth, and be available when Stetson needed that one extra person to make a difference. Gary covered many positions including frontline staff, substitute teacher, and job coach. The experience provided the opportunity for Gary to see if another position could be the next step in his career pathway at Seven Hills. In October 2021, Gary took that next step into a new position as a Stetson job coach. His ongoing priority that Stetson youth always have a great day now extends to Stetson youth having a great day at work! The program operates on a rotating schedule—on campus in the cafeteria, cleaning, recycling, and feeding the chickens on the farm, or off-site at the Many Hands Organic Farm, local thrift store, animal shelter, and more. Job coaches work alongside the youth, enriching the experience with guidance and positive reinforcement. It has been equally rewarding for Gary to see the youth gain confidence, new skills, and a sense of productive community membership. In nominating Gary as a Seven Hills Champ, Stetson staff emphasized that Gary always strives to do what’s right. Clearly, he coaches from experience as a working role model for what it takes to succeed in the workplace.