Sammy joined the Best Buddies Jobs program with a clear vision for his future—he dreamed of becoming a chef. When he came to Best Buddies, he was already halfway through his culinary courses and eager to gain real-world experience. With the help of Best Buddies’ Manager of Job Development, Sammy explored various career opportunities and ultimately set his sights on a food service role at Disneyland. After navigating the rigorous application process, Sammy received the exciting news in December 2021 that he had been hired as a busser for Disneyland’s Bengal Barbecue restaurant.

In 2022, Sammy’s hard work and dedication began to pay off. He quickly mastered his responsibilities as a busser, which allowed him to take on full-time hours and earn benefits—a significant milestone for him. As part of his long-term goal to move into a kitchen role, Sammy focused on building his skills, cross-training in food preparation with the support of his supervisors. His culinary coursework was a valuable asset, helping him refine his technique as he worked toward applying for a food prep position.

Now, in 2024, Sammy has taken another significant step forward. After three intensive days of cross-training in the kitchen, Sammy was promoted to Steward at Bengal Barbecue. This promotion brings him closer than ever to achieving his dream of becoming a chef. His culinary certification is nearly complete, and he’s preparing to officially apply for a food prep role—the next key step in his culinary journey.

Sammy’s story is a testament to his passion, persistence, and the incredible support of his team at Disneyland and Best Buddies. He continues to inspire others with his journey, showing that with dedication and the right opportunities, any dream is possible. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Sammy!

Check out our original article about Sammy to see his growth: https://www.bestbuddies.org/california/sammy-at-disneyland

About Best Buddies Jobs

The Best Buddies Jobs program represents one of our organization’s four key mission pillars, Integrated Employment. This program secures jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves.

The Jobs program places focus beyond the typical jobs in which a person with IDD might be placed. Best Buddies focuses on finding work that matches the job seeker’s interests and talents.