A story of blossoming and healing

—Peter Phillips

April 2024

Peter Phillips’ journey toward independence launched with a lot of prayer—and an assist from CherishAbility’s Vocational Training Program. The skills he learned as a trainee in 2022 have opened the doors to meaningful employment and loving friendships today. 

Peter’s journey beautifully illustrates how “God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 258)

Expressing the infinite idea
Peter grew up with his older siblings, Jacob and Sarah, in Lake Bluff, Ill., San Jose, Calif. and now lives in Ballwin, Mo. Throughout his school experience, his parents, Carl and Brenda, navigated special education, Individualized Education Plans, and an array of practical resources to help Peter learn and grow. When he turned 18, the services provided for school-aged learners ended, leaving a gap in activities for a young man who is very active and loves to be with people. Brenda was at a loss. She happened to check her inbox and found an email from CherishAbility calling for applicants for its Vocational Training Program. Peter applied and was hired.

“It was actually the perfect timing,” Brenda recalls, “because that definitely helped him and encouraged him to get his first job.”

CherishAbility hired Peter and three other loved ones to work as paid trainees at A/U's Family Camp for three weeks. With support from three CherishAbility job coaches, Peter and crew developed their skills in teamwork, responsibility, and service. Every day, they set up the dining area for all meals, cleaned the dishes, and tidied the lodge. Mornings began at 6:30 a.m. with staff inspirationals, breakfast, and then work. Between shifts, the group rested, read the Bible Lesson together, hiked, did laundry, and socialized. Bed time was 10:30 p.m. It was the first time Peter was apart from his parents for so long.

“Watching how Peter and his coworkers carried out their work was the real blessing,” says Rebecca Creighton, CherishAbility Program Director. “Other camp staff and guests frequently commented on how diligently the trainees worked and how much joy they brought to the lodge.”

Working as part of a team, and with coaches helping him, “felt good,” Peter says. “I felt included and cared for and loved.” 

Forever developing
One evening after returning home from CherishAbility’s Vocational Training Program, Peter had an angel thought. Peter’s parents had treated him to dinner at an Italian restaurant to celebrate his 19th birthday. Fresh off the Vocational program, Peter looked around the restaurant and saw people bussing tables and hauling dishes to the dish room—just like he had done.

“When we left, he actually said, ‘I could work here someday,’” recalls his mother, Brenda. “I had never really heard him talk about, you know, where he could work or anything.”

Broadening and rising higher and higher
Peter connected with a vocational rehabilitation specialist who arranged a job for him at the Italian restaurant. After working there for five months, Peter found an even better job at a local grocery store, where he was hired as a courtesy clerk, wrangling grocery carts and assisting shoppers with their bags. Within a few months, he was promoted to cashier.

“The manager that helps with the cashiers, she really noticed what a good job I was doing with getting the carts,” Peter says. “And then she realized I could be a cashier. I still need a lot of help with that, but the managers are really good at helping me whenever I ask or need help.” A job coach supports him as well.

Peter is scheduled to work 15 to 25 hours per week. Yet because his coworkers often ask him to cover their shifts, he often works 30 hours per week. With his services in such demand, Peter is mastering a new skill: negotiation. For example, he recently agreed to cover a closing shift (his favorite) on the condition that someone else take his morning shift (his least favorite). “I felt happy and like I did something good for myself,” Peter says with a smile.

Meanwhile, Peter still keeps in touch with his Vocational Training friends through text messaging and other CherishAbility programs, such as the Adaptive Family Camp program. He hopes to see his friends again this summer while working at CherishAbility’s 2024 Vocational Training Program—which has expanded to include more workers like Peter, more jobs, and a second camp session.

From a boundless basis 
For Brenda and Carl, it means a lot to be part of a community of fellow Christian Scientists. “The support is great,” Brenda says. “Peter gets support from a perspective that ‘all things are possible.’ That’s what’s so great about having him surrounded with Christian Scientists.

“Of all the connections Pete’s made in his 20 years,” she adds, “this is the most important one—especially as he's moving on in life. And it is just so wonderful that I was led to read the email [from CherishAbility that first summer]! It was definitely meant to be, to meet up with you and all your wonderful people!”