Many of us here at The Arc know Heather Smart as a welcoming face who covers the front desk from time to time. We may also know her from her time spent each week in the Community Based Day Support program. However, what may not be known about Heather is she is celebrating 10 years of being a dedicated employee of Hannaford Supermarket in Leominster. Heather is a front-end clerk trained to use the register, the self-scans and the customer service desk. All of this began because Heather wanted more from life.
In the Spring of 2014, Heather was spending her days at The Arc’s CBDS program and at home. She loved attending day program but becoming bored at home wanted to find a way to leave the house more, make some money, and be more engaged in the community. When speaking with Heather, she recalls learning about this position after hearing Market Basket had a strike and Hannaford was hiring in masses to keep up with demand. Heather took the chance and applied. Originally hired on a temporary basis, Heather worked hard to learn the job. When the strike was over Hannaford was so impressed with her work, they kept her on as a Part-Time Bagger.
As time passed, Heather took part in Hannaford’s Best Bagger Contest. She won the store level competition and competed in Lunenburg at the district level. Although Heather did not place in Lunenburg, it helped Heather find the confidence to push to learn more. Heather kept advocating to Hannaford’s managers to let her try the register. After some time, she was finally able to convince them to give her a chance. Heather knew this was a big opportunity and she did not want to disappoint her supervisors. With lots of determination and support from her job coach, she became a thriving cashier. Her thirst for knowledge and growth didn’t stop there. Once she became comfortable in her cashier position, she then wanted to challenge herself with learning the self-scan machines. After more advocacy, Heather was given the opportunity to learn and run the self-scan machines. Once again, picking up the skill quickly. She wasn’t done yet. Heather’s hard work convinced her manager to train her to use the customer service booth. Again, succeeding and thriving!
Heather’s dedication to her work has pushed her to new heights in her career. Her story isn't just about advancing in her job—it's about the power of self-advocacy, resilience, and the desire for personal growth. At The Arc, we celebrate Heather’s accomplishments because they remind us that with the right support and opportunities, every person can reach their potential. Her 10-year milestone at Hannaford inspires all of us to keep pushing boundaries, both in our own lives and in how we support and empower others.