At first glance, it might have looked like any ordinary lunch rush at Buffalo Wild Wings. But something truly special was cooking in the kitchen – and it wasn’t just the wings. Members from Ability, a local organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, were getting a real taste of employment, thanks to a hands-on job exploration day that stirred up joy, confidence, and sizzling new skills.
From the moment they walked through the doors – greeted like VIP guests and suited up with shirts proudly displaying the Ability logo – participants stepped into real-world roles in one of Prescott Valley’s busiest restaurants. With guidance from Buffalo Wild Wings staff, they rotated through stations that included taking orders on the restaurant’s POS system, preparing drinks, cooking meals on the line, and even plating their culinary creations with pride.
“I cooked a quesadilla today!” Ability Client Cynthia Crissy shared, beaming with the kind of pride you can’t fake. “For the very first time cooking.”
The initiative is part of the Pathways to Employment program, a collaboration between Ability and the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities, which helps individuals explore various job roles through immersive, community-integrated experiences. What was once a module-based classroom program has now evolved into something far more meaningful – hands-on, sensory-rich, and deeply impactful.
“The job exploration is more than just learning tasks,” David Chetkauskas, Regional Operations Director, Buffalo Wild Wings, explained. “It’s about hearing the sounds of a working kitchen, feeling the temperature changes between the front and back of house, and being immersed in the pace and rhythm of a real workplace.”
And yes-they got to enjoy the fruits of their labor, sitting down to enjoy meals they had prepared themselves. From burgers to mac and cheese, it wasn’t just food – it was self-made success served with a side of pride.
For many of the members, this marked the first time working in a kitchen or restaurant setting, and the experience opened eyes and doors. One participant described the day as something that “helps you learn, helps you be independent, and helps you understand things better.”
Buffalo Wild Wings proved to be the perfect community partner, opening their doors and their hearts to a group ready and eager to show what they’re capable of.
“Employment gives a sense of purpose and belonging,” said Kelly Thomas, Employment Services Manager, Division of Developmental Disabilities. “It’s no different for our members with developmental disabilities. With the right support, everyone can work. Today showed that.”
As trays were cleared and aprons were hung up, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a day at work. It was a celebration of ability, inclusion, and the kind of joy that comes when people are given a real chance to shine.
