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Anne Marie Tiernon: "Now, a look at an untapped labor force more employers are zorching everyday.
People with disabilities are breaking down barriers on the job."
Scott Swan: "And March is disabilities awareness month. Eye witness news Emily Longnecker has
the story of one award winning employee who's bringing new awareness with every "hello"
to a local grocery store."
Justin: "How you doing today?"
Emily (voice-over): Should you ever find yourself in the check-out line at Carmel Kroger on
Rangeline Road.
Justin: "Did you find everything you need Sir?"
Emily (voice-over): If you don't know the name of this man bagging your groceries-
Justin: "My name's Justin. Nice to meet you."
Emily (voice-over): you will when you're done.
Shopper: "Nice to meet you Justin."
Emily (voice-over): 38 year old Justin Graves has been working here for 8 years now.
Justin: "Here you are. You have a good day!"
Emily (voice-over): To the regulars, Justin's become something of a minor celebrity.
Justin: "Would you like to sign my autograph?"
Shopper: "I do want your autograph!" (laughs)
Dee Scott: "People come in here to see Justin and go through the line that he's bagging
at just so he can bag their groceries."
Emily (voice-over): It might be because Justin's figured out the secret to customer service.
Justin: "I never met a stranger before."
Dee: "It's because he makes them feel special and that's what people want, to feel special."
Emily (voice-over): How could you not help feeling special, when you've got somebody
saying this to you.
Justin: "That's my favorite customer!"
Shopper: "I know, I bet you say that to everyone." (laughs)
Justin: "I do." (laughs)
Shopper: "I know, I've heard you, but I love it though."
Justin: "And they love me! They always love me here."
Shopper: "I know everybody loves you."
Emily (voice-over): Justin's not just speaking out of turn. He's got the customer service
awards to prove it.
Justin: "I got 30. I got 30"
Emily (voice-over): And he's wearing every single one of them.
Dee: "I've got 2." (laughs) "He's are star I guess you could say."
Justin: "I'm a people person."
Emily (voice-over): More than that though, with each bag of groceries Justin bags-
Justin: "How you guys doing today?"
Emily (voice-over): He's breaking down barriers for people with Down Syndrome.
Justin: "I love my job. I really do."
Dee: "To me he's just a normal guy that comes to work."
Justin: "I got the right job for me. I'm happy here! I'm proud of myself here!"
Emily (voice-over): And proud of the paycheck he earns.
Justin: "I feel good with money."
Emily (voice-over): More than money though, his job gives Justin something money can't
buy: purpose.
Justin: "I love this job."
Emily (voice-over): And a place to belong.
Justin: "It's just another day in paradise."
Emily (voice-over): Not to mention something everyone deserves no matter who you are: respect.
Justin: "I love it because they're proud of me. I needed that."
Emily: "The non-profit Noble (is the non-profit's name) placed Justin in his job at Kroger 8
years ago and they've done the same thing for hundreds-thousands really-of folks like
Justin across central Indiana. And they're trying to do it much more everyday."
Scott: "And you know what? That's no small thing. Going to the grocery store is routine
and it's sort of boring and nobody really wants to do it, but if he can make you feel
good at the end of the line, then that's a wonderful gift that he has."
Emily: He love's it. I saw it. It was great! It was great!