Congratulations to Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) Managers Jenessa Kirk and Yvonne Arroyo on your recent promotions! Jenessa is a Case Manager with our San Diego Community Living Services department and Yvonne an Associate Division Manager with our Temecula Integrated Work program. Both are extremely passionate about the work they are doing to make a difference in the lives of our clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
(Jenessa (right) with her mom)
Q. What interested you about working at TMI?
JK: I became full time because the schedule was flexible and the clients are great to work with! It was a great fit and it was extremely flexible with my school schedule.
YA: The clients!
Q. What is your favorite thing about working at TMI?
JK: Honestly, I love my clients! They are the reason I stayed and decided to apply to become a manager. This way I can still work with them, but also be able to do more for them.
YA: The people I work with and for.
Q. What challenges do you face, your clients face and how have you overcome them?
JK: A lot of the challenges that my clients face are having to prove that they can make their own choices. That they are adults and are fully capable of deciding what they want to do. My job is to support them and fight for what they want and deserve so that they can live their best life.
YA: The challenges would be the learning I need to do, but I see challenges as motivation.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
JK: I love staying in and reading a good book or binge watching shows on Hulu!
YA: Spending time with my family and friends.
Q. What are your hopes for the future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
JK: That everyone realizes that they are capable of being independent and living their life how they want to!
YA: That society will continue to become educated and realize how much individuals with developmental disabilities have to offer and how much they can enrich our lives.
(Yvonne)
Q. How does making a difference in the lives of our clients make you feel?
JK: It is a rewarding experience, because I can see that I am making a difference in their lives.
YA: Like I am able to share the blessings God has given me and thus filling my heart with joy.
Q. Who do you admire and why?
JK: My momma, because she has showed me that with hard work and dedication you can accomplish a lot!
YA: I have always admired my mother the most. She was a woman whose love for God was always reflected in how she treated others and in how she handled every aspect of her life, no matter how difficult life got for her.
Q. Words to live by?
JK: Laugh out loud! Smile often! Love lots! Live life to the fullest!
YA: If you fill your heart with anger and hate it takes up the space that could be filled with love.
TMI is fortunate to have these two outstanding individuals providing exemplary services to our wonderful clients. Welcome to the TMI Management team, Jenessa and Yvonne!
TMI is currently hiring! To join our dynamic team and start making a difference in the lives of others, please visit Join Our Team. Thank you!
Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) has been transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1981 and the 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.