At Easterseals Crossroads, we are honored to walk alongside individuals as they pursue their goals for independence, self-sufficiency, and meaningful work. One of those individuals is Semaj, whose journey showcases the power of perseverance, learning, and support.
Getting Started with Employment Services
Semaj first connected with Easterseals through our Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services program. As a young man in his early twenties, he was eager to find work and become more self-sufficient. With the guidance of his Employment Consultant, Semaj began working at Crossroads Industrial Services (CIS).
At CIS, Semaj quickly excelled. He gained a wide range of transferable skills and learned the value of being open to training across different departments. These early experiences helped build his confidence and prepared him for the next step in his career journey.
Pathways to Opportunity
By 2022, Semaj was ready for new challenges. He enrolled in the Pathways to Opportunity Program, a grant-funded program at Easterseals that provides employment services and wraparound support to adults with disabilities.
Soon after, Semaj began working at Home Depot, earning higher wages than ever before. Beyond the paycheck, he gained valuable customer service experience, strengthened his confidence, and started envisioning bigger goals for himself.
One of those goals was obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). With support from the Pathways team, Semaj enrolled at 160 Driving Academy, completing the program while continuing to work part-time. Not long after earning his CDL, Semaj was hired by IndyGo as a full-time Coach Operator — a role where he now helps others get to where they need to go.
Lifelong Learning and Resilience
Semaj’s drive to keep learning extends far beyond the workplace. During the pandemic, he and his job coach used remote meetings to explore new skills. His coach delivered computer equipment and tools to his home, and Semaj quickly taught himself how to take apart and reassemble the computer. By their next meeting, he was confidently demonstrating his new technical skills.
His willingness to learn carried into his role at IndyGo, where he quickly mastered multiple driving routes across the city. Today, he continues to grow by practicing customer service and conflict management skills every day on the job.
Overcoming Barriers
Semaj’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. He and his family had understandable fears about how full-time employment might affect his SSI and Medicaid benefits. With guidance from Easterseals’ Benefits Counseling services, he gained the knowledge and confidence he needed to move forward without fear.
What once felt like a barrier became a stepping stone toward self-sufficiency. Today, Semaj is not only financially independent but also thriving in a career that matches his skills and ambitions.
Giving Back Through Volunteerism
While pursuing his own employment journey, Semaj also found ways to give back. He volunteered with Easterseals’ INDATA computer reuse program, refurbishing laptops for people with disabilities who applied for their own devices. His curiosity and skill made him a valued member of the team, and he earned glowing references that helped propel his career even further.
A Generous Spirit
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Semaj is known for his generous spirit. He has always cared deeply for his family and coworkers. What once felt like a major hurdle — relying on his grandmother for transportation — has now become a full-circle achievement: today, he is licensed and employed to provide transportation for countless others who depend on public transit.
A Path Toward Independence
From being unemployed and reliant on SSI benefits to thriving as a full-time Coach Operator, Semaj’s story is one of growth, resilience, and independence. He continues to meet with his Pathways team twice a month for budgeting support and ongoing guidance — always keeping his eyes on the next step forward.
Semaj’s journey reminds us that with the right support, opportunities, and determination, meaningful work and independence are possible. At Easterseals Crossroads, we are proud to celebrate his achievements and look forward to seeing where his drive takes him next.
