Gabriel’s First Job Fuels Future Goals

May 21, 2026

Over the past three years, coworkers at Mercy Home have watched Gabriel change. The pajama pants became far too short, and his voice deepened.

But he also grew emotionally. Always somewhat of a homebody, Gabriel started trying activities out of his comfort zone. And it was important to him that he contribute to an inclusive culture in Bosco Home.

“When new kids moved in, he made sure nobody felt left out,” Doyle said. “He really went out of his way to be welcoming.”

He also took the initiative in helping peers work out conflict. 

“He once made another kid sign a kindness contract,” Doyle said. “He has a way of connecting with everyone no matter what they’re here for. People across the building see that. The adults and the kids across different programs all notice it.”

Stepping into the unknown has not always come easily for him.

When coworkers first suggested he apply for an off-campus job, Gabriel declined, responding “No. Period.”

The idea of something unfamiliar felt overwhelming.

“He likes to stick with what he knows,” said Chantal Davison, his advocate. “The unknown can be scary for him.”

So, his care team took a different approach.

He did interview prep, refining his answers with the program team, and even thought about how he wanted to present himself.

“I helped him build confidence in his answers,” Davison said. “He had the right ideas. I just wanted him to be able to deliver them.”

Gabe Avalos, a senior coordinator of post-secondary options & career resources at Mercy Home, worked closely with Gabriel on his preparation.

“We focused on interview prep, but also on making sure he felt comfortable,” Avalos said. “We didn’t want him to get overwhelmed.”

By the time Gabriel did the interview and ultimately got the job, he was excited. The job is about more than a summer paycheck to the young man. It’s a possible step on his future career path. 

“I’m looking forward to the experience,” he said. “I want to one day open a bakery.”

He’s most nervous about learning how to make the different varieties of drinks, but once they teach him, he says he’ll be just fine. That confidence is something he credits, in part, to Mercy Home.

“They’ve taught me coping and communication skills,” he said. “How to deal with hardships in my life.”

Job opportunities while living at Mercy Home are purposeful. Gabriel will even be joining Lawrence, another young man at Mercy Home who currently works at Vietfive Coffee during the week.

“It’s about exposure,” Avalos said. “They learn skills here, and then they get to practice them in the real world.”

Last summer, Gabriel participated in Mercy Home’s Summer Career Institute, where older youth take the next step toward adulthood. Through site visits, networking events, and professional skill-building, he gained exposure to a wide range of career paths while developing the tools needed to pursue them.

The goal is to help the young people succeed beyond Mercy Home.

“We want to make sure that when they leave, they have a plan,” Avalos said. “Whether that’s school, employment, or something else.”

For Gabriel, this job is one of those first steps.

He’s still the same person who loves baking, who connects easily with others, and who reads mythology books as much as he can. But he’s also growing up and taking more ownership of his future.