HOUSTON – The first day on the job is always memorable, but for two new employees at Kroger’s 43rd Street location, Friday was unforgettable.
Helping Heroes Staffing, a Houston-based agency dedicated to connecting individuals with special needs to meaningful employment, celebrated its inaugural day at Kroger with a special visit from local music artists DJ XO and DJ Chose. The surprise guests stopped by to encourage Santiago Molina and Daniel Yante, both of whom have autism and were starting their new roles with the grocery chain.
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The artists congratulated Santiago and Daniel, purchased samples of the products they were promoting, and took time to chat with customers and staff. The visit quickly turned into a community celebration, drawing smiles from shoppers and employees alike.
Roderick Batson, CEO of Helping Heroes Staffing, was on hand to support his team—known as “Heroes”—as they greeted customers and marketed products throughout the store. Batson, who launched the agency to create more inclusive job opportunities, said the partnership with Kroger marks an important step in the agency’s mission.
“We’re proud to see our Heroes thriving and to have the support of the community,” Batson said. “This is just the beginning of many success stories.”
Customers paused their shopping to snap photos with the visiting artists and cheer on the new employees, highlighting the positive impact of inclusive hiring in the Houston community.
Helping Heroes Staffing and Kroger leadership say they look forward to building on this momentum, with more opportunities and celebrations ahead.