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Thirty Years Later

Where did 30 years go? It is hard to believe that all that time has passed. Nevertheless, here I am still working in the human service field and loving every minute of it. While in college in the early 80’s I was certain I wanted to be in human services but was truly enlightened when a professor invited me to The Special Olympic Games. My memory tells me it was all of those young athletes that crossed the finish line that moved me to my ultimate decision.

Over the years, I have worked in residential, school and day program settings, as well as with families. Back in 1996, I began my employment at The Arc of Opportunity. The Arc enticed me because it meant that I would work with people. This typically included those we support, their families, the providers, and the staff. This has been amazing to experience the transformation of the opportunities that people with disabilities now have.

The growth and addition of many of the program options over the years has afforded the people we support to be in the settings that truly bring out the most excellent in each one. Staff growth and development has emerged over the years as well and we have positioned ourselves to have better trained and of course quality staff. There is a sense of excitement when we match the right new staff to the right position. Those matches tend to be noteworthy situations that a manager only dreams. You tend to remember those and nurture them throughout your career.

If you have been around long, enough you have a few stories that you tell often and should. You have developed relationships with just about everyone from those we support, to the co-worker you have come to know, to the families you work with, and even with those external agencies who in the end have the same mission as we do.

I look ahead to carrying out the mission and values that the agency has created while we commit to support each other and serve people with disabilities. A significant value is to insure that people are affirmed as individuals and given choice while offering the tools to be as independent as possible. We have to believe in and create an environment where all people are valued for their strengths and abilities to succeed as well as their capacity to learn from mistakes. Quality supports that are dynamic can be achieved by providing solid programming if based on changing needs and strengths. We are on our way to becoming a leader in developing innovative supports with honest, open and clear communication. I look ahead to the many challenges I will face. Nevertheless, with perseverance I will find the balance of growth while recollecting and cherishing where I have been. 

The Arc has become an important part of my work life for the past 18 years and as I blaze the trail ahead, I am looking forward to creating those lifetime opportunities for the people we support. 

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