On July 9, Kathryn McLay, President and CEO of Walmart International, Christina Zhu, President and CEO of Walmart China, and Walmart volunteers welcomed a special group of work experience participants at Sam's Club Shanghai. These young adults, who have intellectual disabilities and come from the surrounding communities, took part in the "Big Dream Achiever Program".

Kathryn McLay, President and CEO of Walmart International, Christina Zhu, President and CEO of Walmart China, and Walmart volunteers welcome work experience participants of the “Big Dream Achiever Program” at Sam's Club Shanghai.

The program, jointly initiated by Walmart China and One Foundation, has offered over 240 work experience opportunities for young people with intellectual disabilities over the past six years. The program has also provided training to enhance their social and professional skills, thereby aiding them in achieving the objectives of leading an independent life and securing employment. This year, the program is set to explore additional strategies to establish a more robust community network, facilitating participants' integration into society. This initiative is part of Walmart's ongoing efforts to strengthen the communities where it operates.

Kath said, “Walmart succeeds when the communities we operate in succeed. I’m proud to work at a company that is committed to creating opportunities for everyone in the communities we serve. In China, we continue to explore ways to help people, especially those in need, enhance their skills, gain recognition, and get one step closer to fulfilling their dreams.”

These young people began their first day work within the apparel section. Under the guidance of Walmart’s associate volunteers, they quickly learned how to fold and present clothing according to Sam’s Club standards. Kath engaged with the participants to inquire about their experiences on their first day. In the following days, several hypermarkets and Sam’s Clubs in Shanghai, Kunming, Shenzhen, Beijing and Chengdu will welcome more program participants to serve customers and members.

Tiantian, a young man with autism, aspires to become an emcee on stage one day. He loves singing, painting and talking to others. He has hosted school activities, and taken part in vocational training for individuals with special needs in a cafe as a cashier and an e-commerce store as a packer. He was very excited about being part of the work experience program, and, upon meeting Kath, presented her with a traditional Chinese painting of peonies as a thoughtful gift.

Tiantian presents a traditional Chinese painting that he drew as a gift to Kath.

Abu, a teacher from the Autism Volunteer Association in Minhang District, Shanghai, explained that individuals with intellectual disabilities often face social challenges, which can make interacting with others difficult. He said, “Sometimes, Tiantian’s strong enthusiasm may cause concern among strangers or even attract stares. We strive to create more opportunities for him to interact with people, enabling him to learn and refine his communication methods. Our goal is to improve his professional and social skills, helping him to discover a career path that is both suitable and fulfilling for him. ”

Abu stated, “Walmart’s work experience opportunity transcends the ‘protected’ settings where the participants have previously worked, allowing them to experience real and varied workplace challenges while connecting to more people. In addition, this approach challenges the prevalent stereotypes about this group by showing their ability to work. What they truly need is greater inclusion."

However, only a small number of young people with intellectual disabilities are able to find work. Without a systematic, community-based, long-term, and professional support network, individuals with intellectual disabilities are often unprepared for two critical stages of development: prior to starting school and after completing compulsory education. These barriers prevent them from reaching their full potential in terms of schooling, education and job acquisition. Also, the ongoing needs for their care present continuous challenges for their families.

Shaopeng Ren, Director of the Department of Development of Special Needs Group of One Foundation, said, “For those with medium to severe intellectual disabilities, there is a pressing need for a more dignified and inclusive environment that supports them in stepping out of their homes to live more independently. Therefore, this year we are working with multiple partners to establish a support network promoting community integration, with a focus on families who have a member with intellectual abilities. Our goal is to help these young people achieve their dreams and meet their needs by providing continuous support and services that allow them to freely integrate into community life.”

Adhering to its commitment to the community, Walmart will continue to leverage its "Community Caring Program" with innovated activities to engage community residents and store associates to interact with families that include a member with intellectual disabilities. These initiatives will not only enrich the community experience for these young people, but also inspire the wider community to pay attention to, understand, and welcome these individuals with open minds.

The "Big Dream Achiever Program" has also piloted the "New Era Center for the Development of Families with Disabilities" model in Longhua District of Shenzhen. The aim is to mobilize more resources and efforts to provide additional community support services tailored to the actual needs of young people with intellectual disabilities and their families. They facilitate daily living, transportation, and medical care, helping these young people integrate into society.