When Steven started services with Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) for assistance with finding and maintaining employment, the referral indicated that Steven wanted to work in hospitality, but he had actually always dreamed of being a bus driver. Steven had no prior work experience at all, so Khio Thoueithaisong, Career Resource Specialist on WOU’s Lowell Team, knew that getting Steven such a position would be a “slow uphill road.” However, with Steven’s clear-eyed vision and strong work ethic, and Khio’s dedication to removing the barriers to employment for people with disabilities, Steven successfully achieved his dream!
Khio, who has supported Steven since late August of 2024, learned that Steven wanted to drive a bus because “he loves the feeling and freedom of being on the road.” The two immediately embarked on the necessary steps to make Steven’s dream career come true. First, Khio helped him enroll in training classes at transportation company Beacon Mobility. After Steven completed all of his training, Khio reached out to Rose Luna at NRT Bus, Inc., a partner of Beacon Mobility. “Rose assisted him with getting registered for their program,” states Khio. NRT Bus, Inc. has provided home-to-school bus transportation for students in areas throughout parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire for over 30 years, and was therefore the perfect employer for Steven’s job goals.
Steven took on a role as a bus monitor with NRT Bus, Inc. in October. As a monitor, Steven safely assisted students, helping them enter and exit the vehicle, securing them in their seats as needed, and making sure they felt comfortable during bus rides. The job gave Steven the confidence and independence he longed for, but it was just a stepping-stone on the way to the job he had always wanted. Khio explains, “The bus monitor position was to get his foot in the door, and he was very excited to try it. It was perfect because Steven got to see what his day-to-day would be like once he became a driver.” 
With his bus monitor experience, training courses, and other prerequisites complete, the next step for Steven was taking the test for his school pupil transport (7D) certificate, a requirement for bus drivers in Massachusetts. Khio offered Steven assistance in preparing for the test, but says, “He assured me he got it. He did all the studying on his own.” On December 16, 2024, Steven took the test and passed with flying colors!
Steven is now officially a driver for NRT Bus, Inc. He drives a school van that transports children with disabilities to and from school. He clocks in bright and early each morning using a company tablet that he keeps in the van. He then drives to a residence in Lowell to transport a child to his middle school in Andover. Steven reports back to base in Dracut, heads home for lunch, and clocks back in when it’s time to return to Andover and drive the student back home. Later in the afternoons, he will pick up another child after school in Framingham and drop them off at home in Lowell. Steven has a bus monitor to assist him. Khio is unable to visit Steven on the job, but says, “We meet about once a month to see how things are going.” In addition, Rose has spoken highly about Steven when Khio has checked in with her: “She always says Steven is so great to work with.”
Steven loves his job and loves making a positive impact in people’s lives. He takes great pride in knowing that families trust him to transport their children every day. Khio says, “He also thinks it’s a great perk that he gets to bring the van home with him every night.” Khio is very proud to have supported him along the way, but it is Steven’s amazing hustle that landed him his dream job in mere months. Congratulations, Steven!
