Phil Gibboney, LifeMyWay Contributor
There have been no raises at his primary place of employment (Jewel-Osco) for the past three years and it seems the only option for an increase in his paycheck would be to land a promotion. But, even that seems unlikely he says. “I bag groceries and push the carts outside. There are never enough baggers and there’s a hiring freeze right now”.
Ernie has worked at Jewel-Osco for six years. He presently works there three days every week, four hours each day. Because of the hiring and pay freezes, Ernie may be bagging groceries and pushing shopping carts for a while longer. “I would like to stock shelves or work in the farm stand”, he says regarding positions that he would like to apply for. “I’ll wait for a vacancy, then ask”, he adds optimistically.
What does Ernie like to do with the money he earns? He really likes to go to the movies with his friends. Scary movies are the best he says with enthusiasm. “I love scary movies… Freddy…Jason…all of them. I like the action. I just saw Real Steel.” He especially likes going to the mall with friends in his free time.
Other favorite interests that he pays for is his participation in park district basketball and bowling (he bowls in two leagues). However, he’s not signing up for basketball this year. “They keep raising the prices”, he says. “Every year it goes up. I can’t afford this.”
A long time Oak Forest resident, Ernie lives in a home with five other guys. St. Colettas of Illinois, located in Tinley Park, provides individualized services for each person in the home and has helped Ernie find employment. Fortunately for Ernie, through the joint efforts of himself and his St. Colettas job coach, he was recently hired for a second job at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers in Orland Park. He works there four hours each Sunday in the evening. He is hoping for some more hours and a promotion there as well.
Ernie’s ultimate dream would be to some day attend college. “It’s the main thing”, he says. “I would like to either design video games or do some counseling”. Of course the cost of college courses would require more hours of work than he is currently working, but Ernie remains upbeat. “The people are all friendly. They like me at both jobs and I do things without them asking me to. Because of my jobs, I can go places by myself and use buses to go to the mall.”
Even as Ernie is weathering the stormy economic climate waiting for a promotion or more hours of work, his keen sense of what it takes to get what he wants is carrying him toward greater independence.
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