Finding Pride and Success: Why the Right Support Matters

Brandon Bargo is the definition of success. While accomplishing his own goals and helping others achieve theirs, he also challenges misconceptions about his abilities in the process. Bargo secured his first job after high school. That job turned into his current role with PRIDE Industries, an AbilityOne federal contractor in SourceAmerica's network. Bargo works as a data entry operator on an AbilityOne contract for the Department of Homeland Security. This employment opportunity helped Bargo start his journey to independence, but his road to success began long before that.

When Bargo was young, his parents faced a life-changing decision. At a very young age, Rick and Betty Bargo took their son in for an evaluation, where he was diagnosed with autism. His parents were not quite sure what this meant for Bargo, but they were sure about what they wanted to do next.

"The doctors told us to take him home and love him because he was as good as he would ever get," Betty said. "He only said about 6 words at that time! We weren’t willing to accept that, so we pushed for more and thank God we did!"

Some family members and friends recommended they put Bargo on state benefits, obtain lawyers, and treat him as someone who did not have a future. His parents objected to all this advice.

"We didn't want his diagnosis to hold him back. We opted to treat him the same as everyone else," Betty said. "We wanted Brandon to grow and have full independence."

Bargo is now proof that his parents really did know best. When it comes to hard work, he sets the bar high. In 2023, Bargo achieved a milestone in his role with PRIDE Industries. He processed more than 30,000 cases on this AbilityOne contract. That made Bargo the highest producer on the team in 2023. Shortly afterwards, he received the highest productivity award in the first quarter of 2024. Bargo's supervisor said his work ethic surpasses people with and without disabilities.

"Brandon is one of the most determined, focused, and self-driven people we have had the pleasure of working with at PRIDE Industries," document production manager Virginia Collins said.

Bargo is also part of a much bigger success story. Since PRIDE Industries began this AbilityOne contract with the Department of Homeland Security, Bargo has been an integral part of its success. PRIDE Industries assembled a team with at least 16 employees who have a disclosed disability. The team worked through an existing backlog of cases. The success of Bargo's team is proof that employees with disabilities are exceptional workers. Sometimes, the key to success is just having the right support.

"We go above and beyond for our employees, giving them the support they need to be successful," Collins said. "That support includes flexible schedules, remote work, and on-the-job coaching."

Bargo uses his meticulous attention to detail, relentless hard work, and tenacity to make a difference for a federal agency. Those characteristics are also the reason PRIDE Industries selected Bargo to represent the organization at the 2024 SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference.

"Look at Brandon now. He recently spoke at the Grassroots event in DC speaking in front of Congressional staff," Collins said. "I could not be prouder of his accomplishments and how far he has come."

On top of his outstanding performance and professional accomplishments, Collins said Bargo is a good-hearted person who also helps in his community. Bargo volunteers at his local church as a greeter. Churchgoers are always happy to see his smiling face.

"He doesn’t limit his talents to just work," Collins said. "He's a strong presence wherever he goes, and his positive attitude brings so much joy to others."

Bargo now has confidence in all aspects of his life and this job helped him find it. Rick says this job also gave his son a sense of purpose.

"You can see him growing every day," Rick said. "He didn’t have much self-esteem before he started working. Now, he does… Hopefully, he will continue to grow, because the sky is the limit for him."

The sky is the limit, because Bargo's parents never placed any limits on his future. Bargo didn't need support from state or federal benefit programs. He just needed the people around him to support all the possibilities for his future.