Austin Johnsen recently passed his five year employment anniversary benchmark at Price Chopper on Albany Shaker Road. He is a maintenance associate and has been working there since 2019. Austin works four shifts per week, four hours a day. His maintenance title allows him to work in several capacities, and he enjoys them all. On any given day he can be found gathering carts in the parking lot, cleaning and organizing the bottle room along with servicing the machines when they need new bags, or become jammed with plastic or glass bottles.
Austin maintains the customer bathrooms if they become in need of attention during his shifts. Austin assists customers with carry out when they need help to their cars with their groceries, and does it all with flexibility and professionalism. Among other duties that Austin completes each shift, is the cart with “reshops” which are items that a customer may change their mind and not purchase that need to get back to their display shelves. Austin knows every aisle and what is in that aisle, memorized by heart.
Austin utilizes the STAR bus system to commute to work, and he and his mom book his trips each week. He has become increasingly independent and a strong advocate for himself at work. His availability increased and he was given another shift recently. Austin said he feels like a valuable part of the team, “I am very happy here” and indicated he feels valued with the tasks he is assigned, specifically keeping carts gathered and cleaned and ready for customers as they enter the store.
When asked about Austin, his supervisor Nadia said, “Austin is reliable and dependable, and one hard working associate. He is a very important part of our team here at Price Chopper”.
Austin spends his time away from work with family, walking his dog Jerry, and working with his family at their business as well. He enjoys playing video games. He also participates in Wildwood’s Theater Arts Program and book clubs. He has been in more than one community production.
Living Resources has been providing supported employment services in throughout the Capital Region since 1985. Our Employment Program provides the necessary supports, education, and skills training to assist individuals with disabilities in pursuing meaningful career opportunities. To learn more, click here.