Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) now employs nearly 360 employees throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Our programs continue to expand and grow. As a result, we are hiring and promoting faster than ever before to meet the service needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you know someone who is interested in working for our dynamic nonprofit organization where they can make an impact in the lives of others, please contact us today.
We would like to congratulate our first quarter administrative hires and promotions!
(Julie with Mini Cooper and Penny)
Julie Dickerson recently returned to TMI as a Supported Employment Division Manager with our San Diego office. In total, she has been with TMI for 10 years. The great employees and the work we do helping others is what drew Julie back to TMI. Her favorite part about working at TMI is the many individuals she works with from our clients to parents to employers.
“Helping others makes me feel happy,” said Julie. “I hope I can help my clients to see and feel that they are important.”
Julie most admires her dad for raising four children on a single income. He taught his children to be rich in family and to work hard. His work ethic and dedication inspired her to do the same.
Previously an Academic Advisor for a university on San Diego military bases, Julie also teaches English as a second language and helps international students find American homes. She organizes activities for the students to introduce them to American culture. She also loves spending time with her dogs and bird.
Welcome back, Julie!
(Corina with her husband Adam and their dog Champ)
Corina Cisneros was recently promoted to an Integrated Work Associate Division Manager with our Temecula office. She has always had a passion for helping others and wanted to work for a company where she could make a difference in the world! While her job hasn’t come without its challenges when working with her clients, she takes a team approach and works with them to overcome challenges together.
Corina’s favorite thing about TMI is EVERYONE, including upper management, human resources and those behind the scenes, as well as clients, families and social workers. She greatly admires her co-workers. She knows that it is not always easy working with individuals with developmental disabilities, let alone three clients at once who have unique and strong personalities. The clients Corina has supported have become like family to her and she loves them!
“My hope for the future is that companies will give individuals with developmental disabilities a chance to show that they are capable of working just like anyone else,” said Corina. "I want them to be seen the same way that people without disabilities are seen because they are the same, they just may take a little longer to learn or do things, but with proper training and patience they will show you that they can work just like anyone else and sometimes better!”
Words Corina lives by: Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
Well said, Corina!
(Sonia with her sons Jacob, Erik and Jorge)
With TMI for two years, Sonia Lopez was recently promoted to Associate Division Manager with our San Diego Supported Employment program. Sonia brings experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to her position which she gained working at Partnerships With Industry.
"I was interested in working at TMI because they take care of their own from clients to employees, " said Sonia. “This is a friendly and family oriented organization that is my home away from home."
Sonia hopes for the future that TMI can continue to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of our clients and their families.
“The feeling I have knowing I am helping my clients is such a good feeling,” added Sonia. “You can’t describe it!”
In Sonia’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is very close with her nieces and nephews. They love to barbecue, go to dinner and just be together. Two of Sonia's sons, Erik and Jorge, are TMI Supported Employment Job Coaches.
Words Sonia lives by: Love is the absence of judgment.
So true, Sonia!
We would also like to congratulate the following Social Workers who recently joined our Family Support Services program: Barbara Begley, Lisette Caro, Janese Hubbard, Martha Lomeli, Diana Marquez, and Richard Samora.
We feel extremely fortunate to have all these amazing individuals working with us to help transform the lives of our clients!
Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) has been transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1981 and those who are deaf and hard of hearing since 2000. Like all of us, our clients are born with hopes, dreams and the drive to contribute to society. TMI strives to help our clients to realize their hopes and dreams by providing Employment Solutions, Community Living Services and Family Support Services throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.