Supported Employment
Troy says ‘Bring Your Mercedes to Go Car Wash’
October 23, 2026
Troy Helena at Go Car Wash in White City
An inclusive team and a positive attitude make all the difference.
Auto aficionado Troy Helena is celebrating his new job at Go Car Wash in White City, and it’s proving to be a great fit. As someone who enjoys staying busy, helping others, and talking cars, Troy has found a job he genuinely enjoys.
“I like this job a lot,” he says. “I enjoy helping older people vacuum their vehicles, and I love spraying cars in the wash bay. I love when it’s a Mercedes.”
Troy is particularly fond of Mercedes-Benz and is quick to share his car knowledge and reasons to upgrade. Customers appreciate his authentic candor and how he goes the extra mile to help. He takes initiative with his regular tasks, wipes down vehicles, vacuums, and offers assistance whenever customers need it. His team appreciates the detailed, excellent work he does.
"Troy is Excellent"
His manager, Ken Larson, is equally impressed. “Troy is excellent. Each week he comes to work with a positive attitude. That, to me, is, like, half the job. I can teach people how to do anything. I can't teach them to care.”
Doug, Troy’s longtime Job Coach, noticed the difference right away. “Troy prefers this over his previous job. I’ve actually never seen him this happy.”
Living Opportunities is excited about this new partnership with Go Car Wash, where inclusive employment is already familiar territory for Ken. Earlier in his career, while managing a casino in Iowa, he worked with staff with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the buffet restaurant.
Building an Inclusive work environment
When asked why an inclusive workplace matters to him, Ken explained, “I love a work environment that brings different ages, backgrounds, and individuals together, because there's always something to learn, and, you know, to make the world a little bit better.”
He sees that same opportunity at Go Car Wash. “I am building an inclusive work environment with people from different backgrounds, different age groups, different abilities, all kinds. To me, it’s a perfect world to learn from. You just find the right people.”
For Troy, that means a job where he can put his skills and enthusiasm to work. For Go Car Wash, it means a dedicated employee who takes pride in helping customers. And for Living Opportunities, it’s another example of what’s possible when businesses look beyond differences and recognize the value each person brings to the team.
Get in Touch
Blaine Lindsey
Business & Donor Relations
blaine.lindsey@livingopps.org
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