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Underwood for President!
Austin Underwood has always dreamt of owning and running his own business, but little did he know he’d go from a college student to President of Austin’s Underdawgs in a few short years.
Austin was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, something he inherited from his mother and father, Jan and Joe, who have owned and operated their own companies. Much like his entrepreneurial spirit, Austin was born with Down syndrome, and because of how his extra chromosome expresses itself, he is unable to do things like read or drive a car. However, that was not Austin’s and his family’s focus when they were planning for his future. They knew Austin needed a job that focused on his abilities rather than his disabilities because the goal was for Austin to be as independent as possible.
Jan knew that independence on the job would only be possible through specialized training. She researched programs that would be a good fit with Austin’s abilities and interests, and the Special Services Occupational Training Program at Eastern New Mexico University—Roswell fit both Austin’s skills and love of cooking.
First and foremost, the Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) Program taught Austin to live independently and separately from his family. He was thrown into living situation where he had to apply the skills he had learned growing up to depend on himself. His daily life at ENMU had adequate supervision for his special needs, but ultimately, Austin just grew into an adult. He was responsible for getting to his classes and his job practicum, and he was responsible for making food, entertainment and socialization choices.
While at ENMU, Austin learned how to prep food through his vocational practicum at the school dining hall. He was so successful at his job that he eventually became the Stir Fry Station prep chef. Little did he know this experience was a stepping stone to becoming President Underwood.
His college life wasn’t all about cooking, because college wouldn’t be college without a social life. Austin was part of many clubs, but his favorite was the Special Ski Team. Austin joined the Special Ski Team and traveled with the team each Friday to Ruidoso for a day of skiing January through February.
Much like everyone’s college experiences, Austin learn to ride a city bus, keep up with his belongings, live with roommates, and just general life lessons. Next thing they knew, Austin had graduated from the Special Services Occupational Training Program at Eastern New Mexico University—Roswell with a certification as prep chef.
Before leaving for ENMU, Austin had gone to work for the summer at Albertson’s Grocery as a bagger and carry-out clerk. After graduating from ENMU, he returned to Albertson’s where he worked for 13 years. However, one job has never been enough for Austin, so during his work at Albertson’s, Austin also worked at his Mother’s store doing odd jobs several hours a week and at another café, until it closed.
Austin always loved the restaurant business, which is why he went to ENMU, and in 2013 he was ready to dive in. That year, Campisi’s of Dallas opened a restaurant in Fort Worth, Austin boldly asked the owner, David Campisi, for a job while dining. David hired him! And now Austin is a “family” member the customers have grown to love, support and expect to see at each visit. His continual experience at Campisi’s helps polish his restaurant customer service, a skill that is paramount to Austin’s Underdawgs. However, it was his late grandmother, Maw, who ignited his passion for cooking years before.
Austin asked Maw one day to help with her special banana pudding, a dessert the Underwood’s would have at family dinners”…you know, when you had to have a dessert at the end of each meal!”. He then asked her for the ingredients and started making it himself. He messed up a few batches, but finally got the hang of it.
Since Austin does not read, he purchases everything from branding, so he mixed up Eagle brand milk and Evaporated milk a couple of times, but once he gets something locked in, he remembers. The invention of the iPhone, Facetime and Siri have simplified his life tremendously. Also, we take photos of all products from him deciding on milk to what temperature to set the oven. Technology is amazing!
His love of food had him yearning to own his own restaurant. Some 16 years later, with the help of technology, his family and friends, and an amazing community to support him Austin opened Austin’s Underdawgs and became President Underwood
Colton has been working since he was 14 years old! He had to get a special work permit from the Board of Education to work at such a young age. He started at a cafe a few blocks from his school. He would walk down twice a week and work with the barista. He also bused tables and he served as a host. He held this job four years and only resigned because he was leaving for college. The restaurant is the Square Cafe; however, he tells his boss/owner on a regular basis that he will be buying it and changing it to Colton’s Cafe.
He then got a union job working at a grocery store Giant Eagle. He kept his job at the cafe the whole time. He worked 4 days a week at the store and worked one day a week at the cafe all while going to school. He paid union dues and was a full member. Colton worked at the grocery store for a year.
Colton has always wanted to work with kids! So he went to his former elementary school and got hired to work in their cafeteria. He worked there for two years and kept his cafe job. During the summer he worked at the schools ESY (Extended School Year). The younger kids at the school got to see a kid who had qualified and participated in ESY come and work and serve as a role model for them.
This summer Colton had the opportunity to work on the set of a commercial being filmed as a Production Assistant
Brittany Weiss works at Specs4Us, a company that sells eyeglass frames that are custom designed to fit individuals with Down syndrome. Brittany proudly wears an Erin’s World frame by Specs4Us frame as well and models that frame on their website. Brittany is an invaluable employee, and does everything from mailing out customer statements, replenishing stock, data entry and sending out postcards to potential customers. Brittany excels at every task she is given and prides herself in a job well done. She is always ready to learn something new. Recently, she has expressed an interest in answering the phone. She has begun training with a co-worker and will be answering the phone independently soon.
The office staff at Specs4Us enjoys working with Brittany. Her sweet spirit is a welcome addition to the office. She cares for all of her co-workers and offers words of encouragement throughout the day, as well as good-natured teasing.
Before coming to Specs4Us Brittany worked at River Copy and Mail where she scanned documents, did data entry, mailings and some piecework. Brittany says she developed a love for office work there and sought to find employment at an office when they closed. She also gained hands on job training from Two Café & Boutique in Chagrin, Ohio. As stated on their website, “The Two Café and Boutique exists to provide real work experience and employment for our job seeker in a fully integrated setting,” it is there that Brittany gained important work experience. She learned all about food preparation; re-stock skills, washing dishes and how to clean the restrooms. She also brought food to hungry customers, which increased her people skills allowing her bubbly personality to shine brighter. Maria, owner of Specs4Us, was introduced to Brittany and interviewed her at Two Café and Boutique as a part of their job placement program. Brittany’s work experience fit perfectly with the position Maria was looking to fill and she was impressed with her eagerness to work and outgoing attitude
Bethany began taking acting classes and having small parts in theater plays when she was around 6 years old. This really helped her social skills and gave her a desire to be involved in other things. She began cheerleading in the second grade and met her BFF Grace. She continued to cheer and became the first special needs person to be on the High School team. She got involved in different activities with her friend Grace during high school including being in the senior play. She was also the first special needs person to be voted homecoming queen at Whitmer High School. After graduation she got a job as a hostess at The Outback Steakhouse working part time. After about a year working she decided to keep her job but also to go to the University of Toledo through their T-square program. Grace was already attending there too so together they both joined the RockeThon committee. After weeks of practice dancing and raising money they attended the 14 hour day of the RockeThon. She had so much fun, never getting tired. At the end of the night they choose one college boy to be Mr. RockeThon and one girl to be Miss RockeThon. Out of all those students they choose Bethany to be Miss RockeThon. She was so excited. After one year of college Bethany decided she wanted to take acting classes at Starbound Talent Agency. She continues to work, helps in the community and dreams of going to Hollywood and being an actress or a singer
Ian Witt, 19, has been working for Finley’s, a Division of KLN Family Brands, as a brand ambassador since 2024. He started at Angel's Pet Store in downtown Hudson alongside a colleague and a job coach as support. In the beginning, he needed a great deal of assistance, not only setting up the table and displays, but also greeting customers and making sure he spoke clearly. Week after week, Ian persisted. With each shift, he grew a little more self-assured, learning the ropes one bag of pet treats at a time.
And then, just last week, something incredible happened: for the first time, Ian worked a shift entirely on his own. No job coach, no extra hands—just Ian and his determination. By the end of the day, he had impressed the entire team. The store manager later shared the feedback she received from the supervisor:. "I reached out to the team that was here on Saturday to check and see how it went and the supervisor said he did great! Set up all by himself (was struggling a bit in the beginning but worked through it!), asked questions when needed and sold like 5 bags! He was "so confident the WHOLE time! I've never seen him so fired up." He was organized and friendly. Sounds like overall it was a success!!" The best part is that Ian is so proud of himself! Check out Finley's website.
Isabelle Woloson was the first woman with Down syndrome to graduate from college in Colorado. After receiving a degree in Communications from the University of Northern Colorado, she went on to become a certified life coach. She currently serves people with disabilities and their families. To learn more and to receive a free introductory session, please visit askizze.com.
My son, Christopher, is happily employed at Publix! Christopher was born in England and moved to Florida at six years old, where he attended Crystal Springs Elementary School and went on to Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center. At the Exceptional Student Center, he worked through the job enclave program, which placed him at the Holiday Inn, St. Catherine’s, Dignity You Wear, and UF Health Shands Hospital. The vocational training he received at the Exceptional Student Center prepared him to apply for the bagger position at Publix, a company he has now been with for ten years! The customers LOVE Christopher and many favour his line to check out. He always gives his best and treats everyone he meets with respect and kindness. His heart is open and pure and he sees everyone as a friend.
Christopher is a joy to be with and very humorous and jokes with his family and peers. He has recently become an Uncle for the first time and is so VERY proud of his niece Ashlyn. Everyone at Publix knows her age, what date she was born, her birth weight, what time she arrived etc. He calls her his Princess. Ashlyn is the joy of his life just as he has been ours. We have had many challenges along the way, but Chris has overcome them all with his positive outlook on life and trust in the goodness of the people he meets. He is a very special son and we are blessed to have him in our lives. The picture is of a surprise visit from Christopher’s “princess” at work
I work Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 1 PM as a Mail Delivery Specialist. When I first started, I worked with the marketing team, then I assisted the lending department and now I work in the mailroom! I go to the post office and handle the mail in the office. I am very fortunate to have a great working life and wonderful coworkers! My dad gave my resume to the boss and that is how I got the job. Other self-advocates will be happy to have a job in the community. I am happy to be at Navigant! I am very proud of my work and my job!