September 2016
Direct Support Professionals Week is September 11th-17th, 2016! REACH is celebrating this week of recognition by featuring several of our direct support professionals staff! For more information about our support services, visit our Independent Living Support page!
Judy Sadoff, Personal Support Staff
Judy Sadoff, Personal Support StaffHow did you become involved with REACH?
My son Dan started receiving services from Reach for Resources over fifteen years ago. I did not begin doing personal supports through Dan’s waiver until 2010.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
With my son, Dan, living in the family home and for myself being primarily involved with assisting him in regard to supervision, guidance, well being and support, it brings me personal satisfaction helping my son with positive goals, develop more confidence with his skills, strive for more independence, and feel more confident with achievements and success. Helping my son reach success with community living supports is personally satisfying.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
I personally feel more confident in my role as a personal supports advocate for my son, Dan. Dan’s life has been enriched by all of the strong support and services by his professional, personable, and caring staff all through the years. We all are appreciative of the continuous dedication in helping him reach his goals and become more successful in his life.
Kris Hamilton, Community Living Specialist
How did you become involved with REACH?
I was interested in working with people who had set goals for themselves and wanted to work with someone to make them happen.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
I enjoy seeing their response when they understand something new. To see their sense of accomplishment and pride when they increase their abilities is wonderful to see.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
I have learned to expect more from myself when I see what some of them have achieved. I also encourage the individuals I serve to give themselves credit for all that they have achieved.
Rebecca Schimek, Community Living Specialist
Rebecca Schimek, Community Living SpecialistHow did you become involved with REACH?
I became involved with Reach through Hammer Residences. I was working at Hammer with the advocacy department and my supervisor got me an informal meeting with Kate Bottiger and when I heard more about the work Reach did for those with disabilities, I knew it was the next step I wanted to take with my bachelors degree in Social Work. So I applied and got in for an interview and a week later I was hired.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
My favorite part of working for Community Living is being able to work with some amazing coworkers but more importantly some amazing individuals that I have the privilege to support in any way they need.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
I feel that working for Reach and with the individuals I support has brought me a feeling of purpose and I feel like I am actually making a difference in someone’s life. I went into the field of Social Work for this very reason and Reach has made it come true.
Cassie Keller, Designated Coordinator
Cassie Keller, Designated CoordinatorHow did you become involved with REACH?
I started at Reach for Resources 4 years ago. I was hired as a Community Living Specialist, working one on one with people we support. While in my role I grew desire to learn more about how the processes and requirements worked behind the scenes of working one on one with participants. An opening became available for a more administrative and oversight role; a Designated Coordinator. This role has given me to opportunity to see the ins and outs of the many requirements that are needed to support our participants.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
My favorite part of working in Community Living Supports is being able to meet the participants we support. In my role I get to discuss how outcomes are going with each person. I like being able to help Community Living staff develop attainable outcomes to work on with the people the support. It is also rewarding and inspiring to see and hear about the growth people have made over time.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
Working for Reach and with people who have developmental disabilities has been very rewarding. When I began working with Reach I learned a lot very quickly in regards to how to best work with people and with basic job responsibilities expected being a direct support professional. Working at Reach has helped me to educate others on matters of disabilities. In my previous role as a direct support professional, I have learned a lot about insurance, inclusion, advocacy and seeking housing options. In my role as a Designated Coordinator I have learned so much about legislation and paperwork requirements. I have always been someone who enjoys knowing the “how and why” or wanting to understand the bigger picture. I have definitely gained that perspective, and I can’t wait to continue to grow in this field.
Marcus Skallman, Community Living Specialist
Marcus Skallman, Community Living SpecialistHow did you become involved with REACH?
I have a good friend who was the director of a company called Access to Employment, and he invited me to come in for an interview since I was looking to find a new vocational purpose in life about five years ago. I have been a passionate musician for the majority of my life and had been teaching drum lessons for about four years, but I was beginning to lose interest in that. I honestly didn’t know if I was going to like social work, but I took the leap and I’m so glad that I have found a line of work that allows me to be an advocate and mentor for people who need assistance in various areas of life. Now I can say that I have two careers that I can passionately pursue that are spiritually rewarding.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
One of my favorite parts about working in Community Living Supports is that there is no monotony because each day is unique and different. I really enjoy the feeling I get when I’m able to help assist people with becoming more independent.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
Working for Reach and supporting the individuals that I have has caused me to have great appreciation for everything I have in my life. I realize how blessed I am.
Angela Fern, Community Living Specialist
How did you become involved with REACH?
I was getting involved in Adaptive Recreation, and found Reach for Resources. I began with the Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion, and then was invited to an opening as a Community Living Specialist.
What is your favorite part of working in Community Living Supports?
I enjoy the creativity that goes into my days with the people I serve. My coworkers are amazing, and I feel very supported by the staff here.
How has working for REACH affected your life and the lives of the individuals you serve?
I often feel like we get as much out of working with these individuals as they get from us. I feel like we all benefit when we work as a community.