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David Harris; A Jazz Music Afficionado

“Music is a world within itself. With a language we all understand. With an equal opportunity, for all to sing, dance, and clap their hands.” ~ Stevie Wonder

David Harris is passionate about music and he uses it to connect to different people and places around the world. He listens to over 19,000 radio stations through the World Wide Web. He is plugged into over 200 stations of his favourite genre - Jazz. “I find Jazz music relaxing,” he says.

It is easy for David to connect to the world through music but when David initially came to the Yorkton Branch in May 1997, he was a very quiet and shy person who did not feel comfortable in social settings or feel connected to the community. He started out participating in the Activity Centre program which provides a range of skills training and experience working in a group environment. This prepared David for an opportunity to work in the Sewing Department of the Training Centre. After working several years in that department, David was ready for another change. He transferred to a janitorial position in Plant Maintenance. He says, “It’s a good job and I like working with my boss Kelly.”

Kelly Ross, Plant Maintenance Supervisor, feels the same way about David. Kelly says David has many great qualities. In particular, Kelly explains, it is David’s personality and willingness to learn new tasks that really stand out. Kelly will often give David the opportunity to assist him with making repairs or going on errands. Kelly adds enthusiastically, “I am very proud of David for all that he has accomplished. Over the past two years David has made great strides to realizing his full potential. He chooses to participate in different social activities and he is working hard to prepare for community employment.”

In February 2010, David took a key step forward to reach his goal of paid employment in the community by enrolling in the Transition to Employment program. It is a five month course where participants develop a broad range of competitive and employable skills through classroom instruction and practical job experience. David says that he likes attending the program. In fact, he has drawn on his love of Jazz music to connect to his classmates. “David is responsible for introducing the class to some of the new talent in Jazz music,” acknowledges Paula Niebergall, Transition to Employment Instructor.

David has a long term goal of working in the community. He says that Giant Tiger, Marks Work Wearhouse, and Staples Business Depot are businesses where he would like to obtain a job. His first choice is to work at Staples Business Depot in the computer service department. One of David’s hobbies is fixing computer software problems and he would like to put his knowledge and skills to work in a business environment like Staples.

Motivation and hard work, along with the support of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, is a harmonious arrangement for the Jazz music afficionado – one that will certainly help David achieve his life goals.