Celebrating Sandy's Retirement: A True Legend with Down Syndrome
- Ginger Cohen - TMI Director of Corporate Communications
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Some people don’t just hold a job—they leave an indelible mark on an entire organization. After an extraordinary 32-year career as an Office Aide with our San Diego office, we recently gathered to honor Sandy as she officially enters a well-deserved retirement. We celebrated the legacy of a woman with Down syndrome who has truly become the heart of Toward Maximum Independence (TMI).
A Legacy of Dedication
Sandy’s tenure at TMI is nothing short of remarkable. Reaching a 32-year work anniversary is a massive achievement for any professional, but for Sandy—retiring at 63—it stands as a shining example of what is possible when determination meets the right support.
Over the decades, with the support of our Community Integration Training Program (CITP), Sandy has mastered a range of essential responsibilities, from organizing documents to overseeing office supplies. Throughout this journey, she has received invaluable guidance, including 15 years of support from her TMI Direct Support Professional (DSP), Beverly Edwards. Sandy also thrived through the collaboration of her longtime colleagues, Shaun and Vanessa—also members of our CITP program—who have served alongside her for 15 and 18 years, respectively.
Continuity, Community, and Connection
While Sandy is hanging up her professional hat, her daily life remains full of familiar faces. Sandy has been a client of our Community Living Services (CLS) department for more than 32 years, providing the foundation for her to live a self-determined life.
Under the supervision of TMI Director of CLS Angela Newmeyer and the support of her TMI Case Manager, Jenessa Salgado, we know Sandy is in good hands. We are so happy that her retirement will be spent in her home with her established support system. Sandy continues to live with her TMI DSP Jessica Wood, who has been her dedicated roommate for the last four years, with continued weekend support from DSP Barbara Melendez.
A Celebration to Remember
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to TMI Division Manager Desaray Reno and the staff who organized Sandy's retirement party. Your thoughtfulness made the day incredibly special and ensured Sandy felt the deep appreciation we all have for her. It was a fitting tribute to an amazing career!
See You on the Dance Floor!
If you’ve ever attended a TMI event, you know that Sandy is often the life of the party. Retirement won’t change that! While she may be finished with her professional duties, we are already looking forward to our next celebration, where we hope to see Sandy exactly where she belongs—right in the middle of the dance floor.
Sandy, thank you for more than three decades of hard work, your inspiring perseverance, and for being such a bright light in the TMI family. We wish you a retirement filled with as much joy as you have given to all of us!
Want to learn more about how our programs foster long-term independence? Click here!
About CITP: Our Community Integration Training Program (CITP) is a vocational and social skills program designed to help clients develop the necessary skills to participate in their community at the level of their choosing.
About CLS: Our Community Living Services (CLS) department is honored to offer Independent Living and Supported Living Services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In order to live in a home or apartment in the community, one person may need live-in support, while others may need only intermittent support once or twice a week to help with such things as meal planning, grocery shopping or banking. TMI's mission and core values are the driving force behind our emphasis on helping people develop and build skills so they can do things for themselves; be independent.
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