Franklin R. and his teacher, Chris Cadregari, first bonded over a shared love of gaming at Wildwood’s Young Adult Program. But recently, that shared hobby evolved into something much bigger: a six-week workforce ambassador pilot program at VDO Gaming and eSports in Menands. 

While the love of the game drew Franklin in, the program taught him that “leveling up” applies to real life too. Under the guidance of VDO Gaming, Chief Operating Officer Anthony Crossman and his brother Michael, General Manager, Franklin didn’t just play–he worked. He mastered a professional routine: opening the store, initiating computer updates, and resetting the lab for the next wave of gamers. His reward? Time to dive into his favorite games once his responsibilities were met. 

“After the first couple of visits with VDO Gaming, it became evident that we needed to create a more engaging program for Franklin,” said Anthony Crossman. “Gaming is an important tool for everyone in our community, especially those who often struggle with connecting with others. We saw this as a vital learning opportunity. 

The results speak for themselves. Franklin didn’t just learn how to push in chairs; he learned the expectations of a workplace in an environment where he felt understood. 

“Opportunities like this help orient students for future employment by developing skills in a safe, supportive environment,” said Cadregari. “This has been a true win-win-win for Franklin, Wildwood, and VDO Gaming.” 

As the pilot concludes, VDO Gaming is already looking toward the future. They hope to offer the program to more individuals at Wildwood and partner with other organizations to insure individuals with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to turn their passions into paychecks. 

Interested in connecting with one of Wildwood’s innovative partners like VDO Gaming & Esports?

Contact Bridget Chiaramonte, Business Development Liaison, at bchiaramonte@wildwoodprograms.org or 518-640-3317.