A young man named Osman comes to the youth center of New Door Ventures on a foggy day in San Francisco. He is a few minutes early for the weekly meeting with his case manager Dan Quon and is heard saying, "I'm working at my first paid job at Ashbury Images -- and I like it."

Osman is a hard-working, diligent individual who is very loyal to follow through with his commitments. However, finding a job was no easy task. With unemployment rates as high as 24% for youth in his age range, Osman found it challenging to stand out in the highly competitive San Francisco job market. These statistics could dishearten any job seeker, but Osman faces another challenge, as well. Diagnosed with a cognitive disability, Osman is hard pressed to find a job that would accommodate his learning style.

Before interning at Ashbury Images, Osman applied to work at several local grocery stores and big consumer electronics companies. He heard that with the broad resources of a brand-name store, there would be more opportunities to employ someone with his unique challenges.

He never heard anything back.

One of four kids living with a single mother, Osman knew that he needed to help out his family by bringing home a paycheck. Therefore, Osman would not let the tough job market or his cognitive disability stop him from continuing to search for employment.

Osman was referred to New Door Ventures by another nonprofit organization called Bridges from School to Work. New Door has hired several successful young people with various special needs from Bridges and the staff at New Door was ready to meet Osman. "New Door is glad to provide youth with disabilities with opportunities to work," said Dan, a case manager at New Door. "In fact, a significant number of young people report cognitive disabilities."

After a couple of interviews with Dan and some pre-employment training, Osman was hired as an intern at Ashbury Images.

Ashbury Images is a social enterprise of New Door Ventures with the dual purpose of printing high quality apparel and helping at-risk youth.

Osman is in the middle of his six-month of internship at Ashbury Images, and is doing really well. He is learning the hard job skills of the screen printing business while learning soft skills like time management, professional attire, and being a team player. "I'm learning how to use the [screen-printing] machines and learning how to mix paints," Osman remarks. "I like working with others."

Osman has found in Ashbury Images a company that is willing to give him a chance to learn, a chance to grow, and a chance to succeed. With a bright smile on his face and a pay stub in his hand, Osman declared, "Now I can help my mother pay the rent. I can help support my family."

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