If you walk into Home Depot looking for Hope, you’ll find it on aisle 21.

Anyone who has ever searched for the right screw or bolt knows the precision it takes to keep them organized. At the Palo Alto store, a group of EMCC participants take on that challenge every day, keeping everything in its rightful place. Along the way, Tevi, Jon, Alyson, and Todd have built more than a work system. They have built a friendship.

Tevi has been part of the Home Depot team for seven years, but his journey with Hope started more than 30 years ago. Born in Estonia, he moved to the United States at age 10 when his family escaped the Iron Curtain at the end of the Cold War. The transition was a culture shock, but Tevi adapted quickly and learned English in just three months.

He first connected with Hope Services in high school, where Jenny Ortiz was his supervisor. Since 2001, Tevi has lived independently with the support of his family and Hope. His apartment community offers classes in cooking and daily living skills, and Tevi proudly makes his go-to dishes: pasta and egg sandwiches. Through EMCC, he has also worked with partners like Kifer and Taiko.

At Home Depot, Tevi’s role consists of maintenance and customer service. He organizes carts, sorts screws, and ensures every box is perfectly stocked.

“He likes to make things neat and makes sure every roll has the same number of pieces. Managers love that!” shares Patti, his Hope job coach.

Tech-savvy, Tevi even taught himself how to use his Apple Watch to clock in and out, then showed the rest of his team how to do it too.

The team recently said goodbye to Elaine, a longtime coworker and friend who moved out of state. While Tevi misses her, he has stayed focused on his work and his goals. Patti notes, “Tevi has gained so much patience. It is not easy to read tiny part numbers, sometimes with a magnifying glass, or to stay on your feet for hours. He supports his coworkers and has become a leader among them.”

Looking ahead, Tevi hopes to reach his tenure milestone at Home Depot. He recently traveled back to Estonia with his mom and is already excited for the next trip.

Erika, his manager, adds, “Tevi and the team bring so much joy. It is always a good day when I get to see them. Tevi always advocates for what he needs.” His next goal at work is to learn how to scan items, living by Home Depot’s values of “reengage and think.”

Hope can be found on aisle 21. And if you cannot find it, Tevi and his team will be happy to assist you.