Gary had been attending a Sheltered Workshop for many years of his life in Shawano.  He had gotten to the point where he wanted to grow beyond what was offered there and being at a workshop was not working for him.  Gary enjoyed getting outdoors, working with his hands and helping other people.    We listened to him and his family and found that many of his interests and gifts could be matched to a need in the Community.  Gary enjoyed nature and working with his hands and with the right supports in place he had very few limitations.  Gary was paired up with a support worker who had a passion for working with his hands and doing woodworking.  Over time they studied plans to make an array of birdhouses and feeders.  Gary brought the first products he created to a local mill that sells birdseed and houses.  He sold his first three bird houses to the owner who turned around and sold them to a happy customer the very next day.   This led to a connection with the store owners who also carried live animals certain times of the year.  Gary began helping out feeding and watering their stock of fowl, friendships followed.

Presently, along with his bird house business Gary also volunteers for the local parks, a nursing home, Habitat for Humanity, the Animal Shelter and even gets in some fishing.