Living a Dream Come True

By Belinda Hoyt

Michael “Mikey” Bilello has been dreaming of finding a job for several years. He attended the Family Café conference in Orlando in 2016, where he created a dream vision board highlighting his desire to be employed, and to one day live with roommates in his own house or apartment.

After working with job coaches for three years, Mikey interviewed for a position as a busser at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Palm Coast. In March 2019, one of his dreams came true as he became employed. Mikey will turn 29 years old in August.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill partnered with Fun Coast Down Syndrome Association (FCDSA) in 2017 to teach members how to cook spaghetti as part of their organization’s fundraiser to provide activities and educational materials for their Camp I Can Enrichment Center. Each year since, one of the chefs along with Catering and Event Manager and Employee Scheduler Julie Smith have worked in the kitchen at Praise Church with FCDSA’s “chefs-in-training” to cook lasagna or baked ziti as part of the fundraiser dinner.

On June 14, Mikey was awarded Employee of the Month at Carrabba’s Italian Restaurant. Owner & Building Proprietor Chris Herrera had observed Mikey for months as he performed his tasks as a busser. “His work ethic and his happy attitude are astounding,” Herrera said.

At Mikey’s orientation in March, it was stressed to him that he is “now a part of the Carrabba’s family.” Staff phoned Mikey’s father to invite him to the June Employee of the Month award ceremony. Mikey was surprised by fellow employees and management with a baseball cap with Carrabba’s logo on the front and “Michael Bilello” embroidered on the back.

Managers Keith Whitea and Eric Hoeni, and Kitchen Manager Wade Lovett were there to celebrate Mikey’s special moment. Staff gave him high-fives and thumbs up. Mikey always dreamed of having a job like his brother, sister, and his father. Not only did he find employment, he also found another family, his Carrabba’s family.


Michael Bilello received his cap as the Employee of Month at Carrabba’s in Palm Coast.