On any given afternoon at Yo’ Mama’s in downtown Birmingham, Jamyia Williams can be found greeting customers, clearing plates, and keeping busy behind the scenes. Today, she approaches her work with confidence that would have been difficult to imagine a year ago.
Much of that confidence has grown through Jamyia’s experience with Glenwood’s Adult Day Program, where she has developed essential job skills, gained greater independence, and found a workplace where she feels valued.
“I enjoy cleaning, working hard, and meeting all the customers,” Jamyia said. Her favorite task? Busing tables.
Glenwood believes adults with autism should have opportunities to participate fully in their communities, pursue employment, build independence, and make choices about their own lives. The Adult Day Program helps make those opportunities possible by creating individualized paths for each person we serve.
That may include building independent living skills at the Sullivan Center, gaining hands-on vocational experience through Journey Academy, volunteering through the Community Experience Program, or pursuing employment. Each person’s goals, interests, and abilities help shape their path.
“You have to deliver something different to everyone,” said Renee Fox, Glenwood’s Director of Program Operations for Adult Day Services.
For Jamyia, that individualized approach began with understanding what kind of work would be a good fit for her.
“Jamyia came to us through vocational rehabilitation,” Renee said. “She’d had jobs before, but not the support she needed.”
Glenwood paired Jamyia with job coach Shandra Rayford, who worked with her to identify an opportunity that matched her interests, strengths, and previous experience.
“I helped Jamyia find the right job match by taking the time to learn about her interests, previous work experiences, strengths, and personal preferences,” Shandra said. “As we explored opportunities, I worked closely with her to ensure she felt comfortable and understood the expectations of each potential job setting. The goal was to help her find employment that not only matched her abilities, but also made her feel happy, valued, and motivated to work consistently.”
Together, they found a promising fit at Yo’ Mama’s, a restaurant Renee describes as “very motivated to work with individuals with disabilities.”
Jamyia trained in housekeeping and restaurant skills and studied for her food handler’s card, which she proudly earned.
“She was so proud to get that food handler’s card,” Renee said.
Not long after, Yo’ Mama’s hired Jamyia. It was more than a new job. It was the beginning of a new level of independence.
“In the beginning, I went to work with her during every shift she worked,” Shandra said. “I was present daily to provide direct support, encouragement, and guidance.”
As Jamyia became more comfortable, that support gradually decreased. After the first month, Shandra began stepping back and providing assistance only when needed.
“My role evolved from constant hands-on support to periodic check-ins, encouragement, and guidance only when needed,” Shandra said. “Jamyia’s growth in confidence, communication, and independence has been very noticeable throughout her employment journey.”
The transition was not without challenges. The fast pace of a busy restaurant required Jamyia to learn how to stay focused, move from one task to another, and keep up with the demands of each shift.
“She needed reminders and encouragement to stay focused, move with urgency, and transition from one task to another without delays,” Shandra said. “But Jamyia worked through these challenges with consistency, repetition, and ongoing support.”
Today, Jamyia works her shifts with far less support. “We check on her occasionally now,” Renee said. “We don’t have to be side by side with her every day while she’s at work.”
Her progress has not gone unnoticed. Jamyia has become a valued member of the Yo’ Mama’s team and has even been recognized as an employee of the month by her peers.
For Shandra, Jamyia’s experience reflects what can happen when people are given the right opportunity and the right support.
“Adults with autism are capable, dependable, and hardworking individuals who can be very successful when given the opportunity and proper support,” she said. “They want the same things as everyone else: to feel valued, included, independent, and proud of their accomplishments.”
For Renee, that is at the heart of Glenwood’s Adult Day Program.
“Independence. That’s the goal,” she said. “It’s them feeling like they have a piece of ownership in their life.”
Jamyia’s story is a powerful example of what that ownership can look like: finding work that fits her strengths, earning a paycheck, building relationships with customers and coworkers, and gaining the confidence to do her job independently.
And every shift she works at Yo’ Mama’s is another step forward.
