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A young man pushes shopping carts across a parking lot — After two successful summer work program internships, Easterseals program participant Ethan Marshall landed a part-time job late last summer. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Every time high school senior Ethan Marshall clocks in for his shift at the Pinson Piggly Wiggly, it’s another big step toward independence.

Ethan, who has a mild learning disability and ADHD, turned a summer Easterseals internship into employment at the store, where he continues building job skills, building confidence and earning money.

His success story is one of many from the Easterseals of the Birmingham Area (ESBA) Summer Work Program and others that help people with disabilities.

Read on to learn more about Ethan’s story and how you can support Easterseals’ mission at its annual golf tournament on May 17.

Meet Ethan Marshall

A young man named Ethan Marshall working at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store holds his hands clasped as he stands in an aisle of the store. — Ethan Marshall works part-time at Piggly Wiggly in Pinson and graduates from high school in May. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Ethan’s support from ESBA is part of a bigger story that began years ago with his dad and continues to this moment, showing just how powerful the right guidance can be. Here’s a snapshot:

As a young adult, Ethan’s dad, Ralph, had an accident that required him to relearn many skills, from walking to reading.
After rehabilitation, Ralph was set to attend school to become a carpenter, although he needed tools for his coursework at Bessemer Tech (now Lawson State Community College).
Enter Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the state department of rehabilitation’s largest division, which helped Ralph buy the tools he needed for school.

A full-circle family story

A young man working at a grocery store holds his hands clasped as he stands in an aisle of the store. — Ethan has gained confidence through Easterseals vocational programs and enjoys helping customers in his job. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Completing the loop of a full circle family story, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services also coordinates with ESBA to offer its eight-week summer work program, which helped Ethan.

The first summer, he enjoyed working at Edgar’s Bakery, and the second, he worked at Piggly Wiggly. Both experiences equipped him with vocational training and internship experience that helped him land the job at the store, says his mom, Darnita.

“Being a parent with a child [with disabilities] you start thinking, ‘What’s out there? What can he do?’ … ‘Will he ever be able to do this? Will he ever be able to do that? Will a job work with him?’

It was just a blessing for us to know that we have this and that he can be a productive citizen. Easterseals has been such a blessing for us. They go above and beyond for you and are advocates on your behalf.”
_{Darnita Marshall}

Ethan’s most recent summer internship also helped him complete a work-study requirement for Alabama Virtual Academy, from which he will graduate in May. His mom says transitioning from the internship into a job was a big win.

He’s leaning to save, pays for his haircuts and allowed himself a reward, too — a collector’s quality WWE championship belt.

How Easterseals programs help people

mock interview for intern How to help Easterseals connect people who have disabilities to jobs in Birmingham now — Vocational training through Easterseals includes mock interviews, summer work programs and resume building. (ESBA + Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Easterseals (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now) — Vocational training through Easterseals includes mock interviews, summer work programs and resume building. (ESBA + Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Now, multiply this inspiration and impact by the dozens of ESBA programs that benefit people with disabilities across age groups throughout our region. A few examples include:

Speech-language, pediatric feeding, physical + occupational therapy for children
General evaluation, job readiness, job placement + computer skills training for adults
Career exploration, self-advocacy, financial literacy, job readiness, independent living + more for students

Get more detailed info about these programs on the Easterseals of the Birmingham Area website.

How you can help Easterseals

Easterseals of the Birmingham Area golf tournament — The 2025 ESBA Golf Tournament starts early in the morning this year at Highland Park Golf Course. (Easterseals of the Birmingham Area)

The annual ESBA Golf Tournament is coming up soon! You can help support the mission and programs of ESBA by registering your team for this event, which is a local favorite for fun, great prizes, eats, drinks and Saturday socializing.

Here’s the essential info + fun details

What: 2025 ESBA Golf Tournament
Where: Highland Park Golf Course, 3300 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 8AM check-in, 9AM shotgun start
Sign Up Here

🏆 Trophies: First- and last-place teams, closest to the pin + longest drive
⛳️ Course Prizes: A hole-in-one shot at #3, #5 or #7 could win you Omaha Steaks for a year, Callaway golf clubs or a $500 prepaid card
💰 Top Prize: A hole-in-one at #11 gets you $10,000!
🌮 Food: Start with a light breakfast + end with a Taco Mama lunch
🍹 Drinks: Tito’s screwdriver cocktails, Cahaba Brewing Co. beer + a Tito’s Transfusion Cocktail at hole #10
🙌 Silent Auction + Raffle: The popular bourbon raffle will return + auction items so far include Porsche Track Experience Hot Laps, brunch for four @ Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook + goodies from The Cook Store, Diamonds Direct, Tito’s + more

Gather your group + register today for the Easterseals of the Birmingham Area golf tournament.

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