Our new Director of Organizational Engagement & Effectiveness Frances Johnson is already making great strides in helping to spread the word within communities about the amazing work Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) is doing to transform the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also working hard within TMI to promote staff wellness, as well as provide cultural training and shining the light on the importance of diversity. She took a few moments to share with us what inspires her and more!
Q. What interested you about working at TMI? A. I have always loved working in an environment that is helping people. My CORE VALUES are in alignment with the TMI mission statement: To provide personalized services to those who require support, enabling them to make informed choices regarding how they live, work and function productively and independently in the community.
Q. What is your experience that will help you in your position?
A. I have more than 10 years of placement experience. In addition, I am bilingual (fluent in Spanish) and I have a background in management organizational development.
Q. What are your hopes for the future of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
A. To knock down barriers to accessing services and supports needed to launch individuals with disabilities into living their best life by ensuring that they have the opportunities to achieve their education, employment, and financial goals through services such as ours.
Q. How does working at TMI make you feel? A. I love working in an environment where I feel I am making a difference and learning something new on a daily basis.
Q. What is your favorite part about working at TMI?
A. The environment and culture. I find happiness in my day-to-day responsibilities and the AMAZING working relationships I’ve developed.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A. Spending time with my children and granddaughter, reading, cooking, and traveling.
Q. Who do you admire and why?
A. It would have to be my grandmother Alice. Even though she has dearly departed this earth many years ago, she instilled a lot of the values I treasure and try to emulate. She was a kind hearted woman, who was resilient and a very giving person. She was full of wisdom and sound advice, loving, and most of all she put family first and always created memories with holiday traditions. She was also a bilingual school teacher which guided my early education decision and goals to follow in her footsteps.
Q. Words to live by?
A. “Eventually all pieces fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason.”
Q. Is there anything additional that you would like to add?
A. Coming to work at TMI has been the best decision I have made for my career. I was always “comfortable” in my previous positions knowing that I had a lot more to offer, but was hesitant with spreading my wings and offering my experiences and knowledge to a higher plateau.
We love it, Frances!
“Frances brings a wealth of experience, passion and tenacity as she assists us in reaching our recruitment, staff training, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement goals. We are honored and excited that she has joined our TMI Family," said TMI Executive Director Rachel Harris.
All supports provided by TMI are designed to enable people, regardless of age or level of disability, to live in real homes in the community and to be fully included in family, school, work and community life. In order to achieve our goals we have always placed a high priority on providing the highest quality training to agency staff including cultural and diversity training.
We are currently hiring additional employees! If you know of someone who would be a great fit for the TMI team, please visit Join Our Team for a list of opportunities and to apply. We look forward to hearing from 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. In 2020, we launched Disabled Veteran Employment Services. TMI strives to help our clients to realize their hopes and dreams by providing Employment Solutions, Community Living and Family Support Services throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. To stay connected with us, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Together we can share acceptance and awareness, ultimately contributing to further inclusion.