As a foreman at the Navy Yard, Antjuane Bridgers has not only taken on new responsibilities in his career but has gone out of his way to help others succeed. 

Working with a counselor, Antjuane was connected with Melwood and began his career path as a custodian at the Navy Yard. In this role, he built up his practical and interpersonal communication and management skills and honed a keen understanding of what is needed to succeed. During the day, he is rarely stationary, constantly monitoring everything happening in the buildings where he works and ensuring nothing is left by the wayside.

His experiences at Navy Yard have helped him overcome challenges and take on new responsibilities. Jumping in at a new site always requires a fresh start in terms of tasks and problem-solving, and Antjuane has had to put in the work to rise to the occasion more than once. He is always willing to step in and volunteer for overtime or other types of group work.

Antjuane attributes his success to Melwood’s supportive work environment. Melwood always provides opportunities to identify one's abilities and work within their comfort zone. Antjuane points out, “The counselors there give you good advice and help you calm down when needed. They always check in and make sure their employees are okay. In other jobs, they don’t have the time or experience to deal with people who have disabilities and tend to push them to the side.”

Taking a page from Melwood, Antjuane has made it his mission to help others better themselves - not just on the job, but in life. Antjuane wasn’t satisfied with simply working to better himself in his career. He noticed that some of his coworkers were struggling in their roles and went out of his way to help them succeed and encourage them to seek their own promotions. By helping them to better themselves, he was recognized as a natural leader and eventually promoted to foreman. 

“Rising up on my own is normal for me, but I get fulfillment watching and helping my peers get promoted. It is always best to ask many questions and do better than what you normally feel.”

For Antjuane, communication is key. He hosts weekly meetings with his team to ensure that everyone is up to speed on everything that needs to be done -  a practice that has helped him learn to listen, pay attention and communicate effectively with his colleagues.

Antjuane’s advice for individuals with disabilities seeking employment is simple but powerful: “You can do it! Some people have anxiety and have been told all their life they are lesser and can’t do things, but you can do it. Trust in yourself and find an environment with a good support team. ”