Because of KANDU-and Supporters Like You-Carter is College Bound!
When Carter first came to KANDU Industries, he was at a pivotal point in his life: a time of transition, growth, and uncertainty. Like many young adults with disabilities, he had finished high school and was ready for something more, but he wasn’t quite sure what came next. Carter needed structure, guidance, and a place to keep growing—but most of all, he needed someone to believe in his
potential. Carter joined KANDU’s Community Employment program and began a 90-day work experience at Old Navy where he started developing real-world job skills like customer service, cleaning, and merchandising. It was a big step forward, but Carter’s journey wasn’t always easy. He struggled with interpersonal dynamics: things like taking feedback, managing frustration, and communicating clearly with coworkers and supervisors were new challenges for Carter, and at first, they didn’t come easy. But his KANDU team was there
every step of the way, offering consistent guidance, encouragement, and a structured path forward.
When his community employment experience ended, Carter’s support team helped him transition to KANDU’s Livin’ & Learnin’ program, where he shifted focus to social interaction, peer relationships, and community experiences. Livin’ & Learnin’ is a day habilitation program for young adults where Carter was able to practice things with his peers like how to start conversations, working in group settings, safe ways to explore the community, and building trust with others. Soon after, Carter also enrolled in KANDU’s Daily Living Skills Training program, working one-on-one with a skills trainer to build up his financial and reading literacy. Over time, he worked his way through increasingly difficult skills and tasks, an achievement that boosted both his confidence and his independence.
After building a strong skill base, Carter moved into KANDU’s pre-vocational program full time—and something clicked. Where he once shut down or walked away in tough moments, he stayed present. When a staff member gave him constructive feedback, he didn’t walk away, he stayed and talked things through. And while those conversations weren’t always perfect, it was huge progress. Carter also started taking ownership of his choices, an early sign of the maturity he was developing.
Now, Carter is building on that growth in a big way. He applied and was accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) program, a college experience designed specifically for young adults with intellectual disabilities. It’s a bold leap that Carter wasn’t always sure he could take. When his coach first approached him with the idea, Carter thought, “I don’t think I can do it, I’m too nervous about that.” But after touring the campus with his family and being encouraged by his friends at KANDU to move ahead. Carter decided to go for it. When his acceptance letter arrived, he said, “I was really emotional. Lots of joy, lots of tears. I texted my girlfriend and she was happy and my whole family and friends were all around me.”
This fall, Carter will continue his journey toward independent adulthood as he experiences on-campus living, specialized instruction, and career preparation in an empowering environment where he can keep growing, learning, and thriving. He’s excited for this new step, saying, “I’ve been better and better every day. It makes me more mature and more confident. As a freshman I don’t want to get in trouble, I want to grow more and show the world what I’m made of.” Carter has his sights set on sports management. He’s coached and managed local basketball teams and wants to continue exploring that passion on campus. “I’ll be a freshman this year and I’m going to learn some new stuff, living on my own in a dorm. I want to do sports management because I’ve been involved in basketball my whole life,” he said.
Of course, the road to this moment wasn’t always smooth. Carter once surrounded himself with peers who didn’t always bring out his best. He also had anxiety, especially around making mistakes. “Carter used to be very hard on himself, and he had a hard time accepting any criticism when he didn’t do something perfectly,” said his mom, Sheri. “Working with the coaches in the programs at KANDU has given Carter a new sense of confidence. He’s more willing to learn new tasks because he knows it’s okay to not be perfect every time. If he makes a mistake, he can fix it and move on … He sees himself succeeding in so many more areas now.”
For Carter, KANDU became more than a place to grow, it became a second home. “If I wasn’t here at KANDU I’d be sitting at home, and I don’t really want to just be at home,” he said. “I want to do stuff that’s fun.” He credits staff and peers for helping him feel supported: “All the staff here at KANDU have always got my back and I just can’t thank them enough. [My friends at KANDU] mean a lot to me. I’ve made a lot of brothers and sisters here. It’s like family to me. It’s been an honor working here, and I’m going to miss it.”
For every client we serve at KANDU, independence is always the goal, but what that looks like is different for everyone. For Carter, it means going to college and living on campus. For others, it might mean learning how to ride the city bus, cook a meal, or communicate confidently with peers. No matter the path, KANDU meets each individual where they are to help them take the next step toward a more self-directed life.
Carter’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when young people are not left behind in life’s transitions. At a time when he could have easily slipped through the cracks, KANDU stepped in, and Carter stepped up. At KANDU, we see Carter not just for who he is today, but for who he’s becoming. And we’re proud to walk alongside him every step of the way.
