Success Story – Becky, Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center

Graduate of Project SEARCH^® Arkansas: ACCESS^® Initiative

Becky isn’t your typical individual. She is an athlete. In 2007, she became an Olympian when she traveled to Shanghai to compete in the 2007 World Special Olympics. But Becky and her family were seeking something more, and Project SEARCH^® was able to fill the void. Upon graduation, it was clear that a career in fitness would be the perfect fit for Becky. And that is how she became part of the team at the Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatic Center.

As part of Becky’s daily routine, she ensures the cleanliness of the fitness area and equipment. Her warm and inviting personality makes people feel welcome and at home.

“We were worried that after high school, Becky’s world would shrink and that she wouldn’t be as involved in the community,” recalls her mom Ann. “Becky’s job through Project SEARCH has given her the opportunities she needs to keep growing and give back to the community.”

“We’ve heard too many times that business owners cannot find stable, dependable, and motivated employees, so they often end up with a high turnover and poor attitudes,” says Ann and Hollis Carter, Becky’s parents. “They have nothing to lose by hiring an individual with a disability, but they will gain a devoted employee that will look forward to work every day!”