Side by Side - Who Says You Can't Have Fun at Work?

Side by Side - Who Says You Can't Have Fun at Work?

What adjectives do you use when describing your job? Boring, mundane or chaotic? What about fun, enjoyable or delightful? Scherie, who works as a Job Coach in TMI's Integrated Work Program at Toward Maximum Independence (TMI), describes her job as a "true joy".

Integrated Work Job Coaches, like Scherie, work with two or three individuals with disabilities to assist them in becoming fully integrated in the community. These two- or three-person work groups engage in a variety of activities such as volunteering at local non-profits. Job Coaches also assist groups to seek and maintain paid employment in jobs that match their unique skills and abilities.

Scherie never expected to become a Job Coach at TMI and was surprised to find that she looked forward to working with her group each day and "truly enjoys working with Ayisa and Vanessa", the young ladies in her group, assisting them to learn new skills. They are currently volunteering at several non-profit agencies in the greater Temecula area including the Salvation Army, Mary Phillips Senior Center, and the Temecula Library. Some of their tasks include light janitorial work, cleaning computer screens, food prep, and shelving books.

Vanessa, who graduated from Vista Murrieta High School in 2010, really knows her way around the library and shelves a variety of books in various sections. Ayisa graduated from Temecula Valley High School in 2007. When she first came to TMI, she was quite shy, and reserved, however, she quickly showed everyone that she has a terrific sense of humor and now keeps everyone laughing throughout the day. When she started working at the library, she just wanted to scan returned books, but after receiving training and support from her Job Coach, she is now shelving books, CDs and DVDs by the author's last name.

These are just two of TMI's many success stories. If you are someone with a disability who likes to have fun learning new skills in the community, or are someone that would like to know more about becoming a Job Coach, give TMI a call at 858-467-0600 and ask for Louanne Miller at extension 316.

By Andrea Teas