A Salad Bar Story Really Stirs Staff Emotions

Dear Community Partners,

 

My colleague shared the following story and I must forward: 

 

Joe (name changed to protect identity) age 16 lives in Auburn Gresham. He volunteers in the office at least once a week.  Staff often provides Joe with a small stipend and lunch money.  Staff invited Joe to Mariano's to pick up a salad for lunch.

Staff began selecting ingredients at the salad bar, to purchase.  Joe looked at staff with a "puzzled expression" and asked "Wow, you can pick any item here for your salad"?  Staff was speechless and  could not believe this was the first time a 16 year old boy (living in the city of Chicago) experienced a "salad bar."

 

I refuse to cry for Joe.

Cheryl