Meet Joe Tuzo
By Derek A. Arnold, Goodwill North Regional ManagerWhen Joe Tuzo graduated from high school, he wanted to go to work. His Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) waiver support coordinator Lisette Rodriguez referred him to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for help with landing a job.
VR sent Tuzo to Goodwill Suncoast's Ocala Community Employment Program. Tuzo knew he wanted to work with food. After three weeks, he had an interview with The Centers in Ocala, which is a facility that provides outpatient and inpatient supports for those in need with many recovering from addictions, along with many educational supports and counseling.
With guidance from his Goodwill job developer, Tuzo was offered a position in the kitchen as a porter. His essential functions of the job were to wash dishes, stock dishes for the cooks, and deliver special dietary orders to the residences at meal times.
Dietary Manager Lola Lucky said, “Joe is always willing to help out his coworkers when he is asked and is always offering to help others even when he’s not asked. Joe is a team player and makes the staff laugh. Joe has a great personality that draws people to him and makes the staff enjoy working with him.”
Tuzo is grateful for the opportunity to work, saying, “I enjoy being part of a team and want to gain more responsibility. I like doing my job and seeing patients being discharged, I feel I had something to do with that. I hope just by giving people a simple smile and wishing them to have a good day, it can make a difference in their day.”
It has now been three years, and Tuzo speaks highly of his work. “I have really matured through having this job. It has helped me grow as a person and I am much wiser with my independence. It was my first job, and I had to learn how to act. Now I understand the value of being dependable and part of a team.”
Tuzo receives Phase 2 Supported Employment services through Goodwill funded by APD. He receives minimal supports from his coach throughout the week.
Joe's primary support at home is his father, David Tuzo. Joe states, "My dad is really proud of me. He says I go to work and work real hard and then come home and stay involved with my church."
One of the things Tuzo loves the most about his job is his team of peers. “On my birthday in July last year, I turned 24, and they had called me out of the kitchen. I first thought I did something wrong, but instead they had balloons and cake to celebrate my birthday,” Tuzo said.
In his free time, he likes to watch hockey, specifically the Bruins. He is actively involved in his church and is considering going back to school to become a minister in the future.
It is very easy to see how having this job changed Tuzo's life. Because of VR and APD services, he feels that he can positively contribute to his community and job. "I want to lead and show people the person I am inside by the way I serve others. I am not sure what I would be doing otherwise without a job, probably sitting at home or getting into trouble." Joe has learned that a job is much more than a place to earn money. It has been a place to grow as a person and help others grow in their life as well.
Tuzo is grateful for the opportunity to work, saying, “I enjoy being part of a team and want to gain more responsibility. I like doing my job and seeing patients being discharged, I feel I had something to do with that. I hope just by giving people a simple smile and wishing them to have a good day, it can make a difference in their day.”
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