Marlon Vantrease Wins IARF’s William Schneider Award

Marlon Vantrease, who worked at CARC’s Gumption Gifts has been named the recipient of IARF’s prestigious 2007 William Schneider Award.

Marlon is a 21 year old man with many dreams and ambitions. Like most people with developmental disabilities, securing meaningful work was high among his priorities…and he knew exactly what he wanted to do…he wished to work directly with customers in a retail store. Yet as it is the case with many adults with disabilities, simply receiving the opportunity to prove what he could do was difficult.

In November of 2006, CARC opened Gumption Gifts—a high-end gift boutique to generate new community-based jobs for men and women with developmental disabilities—affording direct experience in virtually all aspects of the retail venture.

Marlon was hired at Gumption. From his first day of work, Marlon was tireless in the completion of every task he was given--always seeking out more responsibilities and learning opportunities. Every day, he was the first employee there…and typically the last to leave. Marlon had received his chance to work in the only job which had inspired him and was making the most of his opportunity.

After six months of direct retail experience at Gumption Gifts, Marlon had the opportunity to interview with Target for a full-time job…he landed it and not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for Marlon to prove himself at Target.

Less than a year ago this young man spent many days walking around retail stores, hoping to one day work in one. Now he has worked in two stores. He is admired by his peers and his supervisors hold him in high regard…and if you should walk into the Target on 95th & Pulaski in Chicago today, you will see a framed photograph of a young man with a wide, genuine smile. He is Marlon Vantrease—in the good company of other Target Employees of the Month.