Success Spotlight: Meet Jackie

Jackie’s journey with MRCI began in June of 2018, when she first joined the Bridge to the Future program. At that time, she was a student still discovering what her path might look like, eager for guidance and ready to grow. After returning to high school to continue her education, she came back to MRCI for a work evaluation, another important step in figuring out where her strengths and interests might lead her.

In the fall of 2021, Jackie enrolled in the eight-week Track to Success class, an experience that would help her explore real world work settings. She rotated through shifts at McDonald’s, Fareway, and Giddy Up Boutique, each one teaching her something new about herself. But it was Giddy Up Boutique that left a lasting impression. Jackie loved it there. In fact, she loved it so much that she has continued to volunteer at Giddy Up ever since.

“My favorite thing about volunteering at Giddy Up Boutique is glittering the floors, looking for empty hangers, sweeping the floors, chatting, and making new friends in the community,” Jackie said with a smile.

Denise Rouse, the owner of Giddy Up Boutique, speaks just as highly of her. “Jackie brings us so much joy. She makes us laugh; she is just a delight around here. She’s a hard worker and the first person to ever say ‘yay’ when she is asked to vacuum. She especially enjoys when she gets to put her fairy wings on and glitter the floor.”

After Track to Success, Jackie began working with MRCI’s job placement services through PBA. Soon, she found a job at Old 16 as a food prep assistant and worked there from April 2022 until the business sadly closed in September 2023. The unexpected change could have discouraged her, but Jackie pushed forward with determination, supported by her team and her own belief in what she could accomplish.

That perseverance paid off. After a dedicated search, Jackie found what she describes as the perfect fit: a production helper role at Devenish, where she prints and labels feed bags. She’ll celebrate her one‑year anniversary with the company in March 2026.

“My favorite thing about Devenish is printing out the labels using their colored ink, chatting with my co‑workers, and putting labels on the color‑coded bags,” Jackie says proudly.

Her supervisor, Production Manager Bill Coonradt, agrees. “She is a joy to have around. We’re fortunate to have her here, and she does a great job.”

Looking back, Jackie feels grateful for the support she’s received along the way. “MRCI has helped me find a job, helped with job coaching, and taught me how the jobs work. It has helped my confidence to work independently and go to work on my own without help.” Her team has seen that growth up close.

“Working with Jackie over the past four years has been an absolute joy,” Employment Specialist Ashley Lombard. “Watching her grow not just in her employment skills, but in her confidence has been truly inspiring.”

Employment Coordinator Kris Simpson also shared a similar sentiment. “I have had the pleasure of working with Jackie for the past eight years, and I have greatly appreciated seeing her develop and excel both personally and professionally.”

And Jackie doesn’t stop at work. She stays active in the community, participating in Aktion Club Theatre Group, Friday night bowling through The Arc, Special Olympics basketball and softball, and as many community outings as she can fit into her schedule.



From glittering floors in fairy wings to mastering color coded labels at Devenish, Jackie has built a life filled with purpose, friendships, and pride. Her journey is one of resilience, joy, and a willingness to embrace every new opportunity and it’s clear she’s only just getting started.