GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Jonathan Hale had no idea what was in store for him last week at Vera Francis Hall Park as he sat in his Green city work truck.

Link Staffing President Amy Pope-Wells of Orange Park was on her way, eventually pulling up behind Jonathan’s truck. He made his way over to the woman who helped him find his current job, and they hugged, then headed inside the park’s pavilion to escape the impending threat of drizzle.

Once under shelter, Pope-Wells told Hale that he was selected as the Link Staffing Employee of the Month, marking the end of a few months of struggle Hale endured trying to find his place in society.

Hale was enrolled as a student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando when he decided, in his words, that college was not for him. This is when his mother, a teacher at Fleming Island Elementary School, decided to contact Link Staffing.

“A lot of parents come to us and say their kid is struggling,” Pope-Wells said. “Link works with kids to take them through several work situations and find out what they’re good at. It has changed this kid’s life, he has finally found his way.”

Link works by finding people, then after discovering their strengths, Link will put that prospective employee in contact with employers who they work with to place workers in temporary positions.

After completing physical training, taking surveys and completing an in-person interview, Hale was hired by the City of Green Cove Springs after showing an aptitude for public works.

“Link helped me find a temp job, but I’m hoping it can turn into an actual job,” Hale said. “The city took a chance on me. I’ve already applied for a full-time position [with Green Cove Springs].”

Hale stood holding his employee of the month plaque as fellow city employees snapped photos with their cellphones and cheered him on. Hale smiled as he realized he had finally found his place.

“I’m still in shock right now,” he said. “It was just a normal day at work and then this happened.”