Sixteen years ago, Carlos stepped into the Safeway store in Mountain View, a little nervous and unsure of what lay ahead. With the support of Hope Services, he began his career as a courtesy clerk. Today, he represents resilience and personal growth, having transformed into an integral part of the store team and a cherished community member.

Carlos recalls the early days: “When I first started in June 2008, I was a little nervous at first. I was provided training and I slowly became more confident. Years later, I have so much more experience.” 

Over the years, Carlos has evolved tremendously within his role at Safeway. From mastering new skills to enhancing his social interactions, Carlos has become a beloved member of his team and a friend among customers. 

His manager, Jeff, shares, “From the Safeway staff to our regular shoppers, we see him as family here.” This sentiment is deeply echoed by his colleagues who rallied around him during a particularly tough time, donating $1,100 worth of gift cards to alleviate some of his stress. “I can’t think of one of my employees that doesn’t go above and beyond to look out for Carlos. That’s just how much he’s loved here,” Jeff adds.

The recent adversities Carlos faced, including the loss of his mother and his home, could have easily overwhelmed him. But, the combined support of Hope Services and his team at Safeway have been crucial. Jeff marvels at Carlos’ ability to remain joyful and present despite these hardships, noting, “If I was in his shoes, I don’t know how I would be able to be happy the way he is. It puts everything into perspective.”

Hope Services has been able to provide holistic support to Carlos to help meet his needs; from assisting him in finding an apartment for him and his brother through Independent Living Services (ILS) to offering productive sessions with our Counseling Center. Carlos’ experience shows the benefit of Hope’s diverse service offerings being available to all participants.

Community Employment Coordinator, Blanca Lara, has also witnessed Carlos’ commitment, stating, “He is a very hardworking individual, really deeply cares about keeping his job and the relationships there.” She highlights the comprehensive support offered by his job coach, Hanna, who has provided personalized, weekly support for the past four years.

Carlos’ contributions to the Mountain View community have been enriching for many. He is particularly proud of his role during major sporting events, like Super Bowl 50, during which he serves as an ambassador to local visitors and out of town guests from Colorado, North Carolina, and even as far as South Africa. “We get a lot of tourists through here. They come here to shop, eat, and get Starbucks,” Carlos explains. 

All year-long, his empathy and dedication shine through his interactions with customers.

“I usually assist one customer who is blind that lives nearby, and take him around the store to shop for his groceries. Then, I guide him to the end of the parking lot on his way back home. He tells some amazing stories about things he’s gone through.”

Carlos’ story is a powerful testament to the strength of community and the transformative power of employment integrated with compassionate, comprehensive support services. As he continues to spread positivity, humor, and a strong work ethic at Safeway, both his team and Hope Services eagerly look forward to supporting his continued growth and success.

As we share Carlos’ impactful story with our community, we celebrate the enduring partnerships that make such stories possible and remind ourselves of the profound influence we can have on each other’s lives.

Learn more about Hope’s Community Employment Services here.