Building Connections & Skills: TMI Clients Give Back at the Murrieta Senior Center
- Ginger Cohen - TMI Director of Corporate Communications
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
At Toward Maximum Independence (TMI), our mission is rooted in the power of community. For several years, clients with our Community Integration Training Program (CITP) who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have been bringing this mission to life through a meaningful partnership with the Murrieta Senior Center.
The Center is a vibrant hub for residents aged 50 and older, offering everything from fitness classes and social activities to essential daily support like hot lunches. It is a place defined by its active, welcoming spirit—a spirit that our clients are now a proud part of.
Recognizing an Opportunity to Serve
The journey began when TMI Direct Support Professional, Robin Harrington, learned about the Center’s daily lunch program. Recognizing a unique opportunity, Robin saw how our clients, Erin, Cassandra, and Karljon, could not only benefit from the environment but truly give back to their neighbors.
“Serving seniors is an incredibly rewarding experience for our clients,” said Robin. “It offers profound emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. By providing companionship and engaging conversations, our clients help combat isolation and bring deep meaning to their lives and the seniors they serve.”
Today, the TMI team is an essential part of the lunch service, helping to serve meals and support the Center’s daily operations.
More Than Just a Meal: Developing Professional Skills
While the service provided is vital to the seniors, the experience is equally transformative for our clients. Working in a fast-paced kitchen environment allows our clients to gain hands-on experience and develop "real-world" professional skills, including:
Customer Service: Greeting seniors and staff with warmth and professionalism.
Meal Placement: Learning the logistics of food service and organization.
Kitchen Operations: Gaining firsthand knowledge of how a busy community kitchen functions.
Heartfelt Connections
The most rewarding aspect of this partnership isn't found on a checklist of skills—it is found in the smiles. The seniors at the Center look forward to the welcoming energy our clients bring each day. Over the years, long-lasting friendships have blossomed between the volunteers, the seniors, and the Center’s staff.
The Center is frequently praised for its active and inclusive community. Our clients are now an integral part of that fabric. They haven’t just learned how to work in a kitchen; they have learned why it is so valuable and rewarding to serve others.
We are incredibly proud of our clients and thankful to the Murrieta Senior Center for their continued partnership and appreciation!
Partner With Us
If you are interested in having our dedicated and hardworking clients join your organization, please contact us today at (800) 877-5452, email info@tmi-inc.org, or visit our Community Partner page to learn more about the benefits of partnering with us. We look forward to hearing from you!
To learn more about our Community Integration Training Program and other TMI programs, visit our services page.
(Thank you to Robin for contributing to this story and being an outstanding DSP!)
Founded in 1981, Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and veterans with disabilities. TMI strives to help our clients to realize their hopes and dreams by providing Employment Solutions, Community Living Services and Family Support Services. To stay connected with us, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Together we can share acceptance and awareness, ultimately contributing to further inclusion. Please consider making a donation to assist us with transforming lives for many more years to come. We thank you in advance! Tax ID# 33-018575
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