Liberty ARC Stories
Back to School With Liberty ARC
“I never in a million years thought I’d go back to school…but I did,” Jane Ryle said. “And I’m so happy and proud that I did – it really boosted my confidence in my personal life and my professional life.”
Jane works a full-time job during the day doing administrative job recruitment for a home health agency, and at night she works as a full-time Direct Support Professional (DSP) Sleep-In for Liberty ARC.
Jane’s been working for Liberty ARC for 27 years, and during that time she’s worked in many different capacities as a DSP.
From DSP to RN – Educational Opportunities at Liberty ARC
“Liberty ARC is my home away from home,” Liz Ubiles said. “Working for this agency for 10 years has made me who I am. The support I received while I was going to school was so amazing that I wanted to stay after I graduated.”
40 Years at Liberty ARC
Kathy Friday has been working at Liberty ARC as an assistant hab specialist 2 for the last 40 years. She is one of the longest employed staff members at the agency. During the last four decades she’s seen the Liberty ARC, and society in general change, yet her reason for working at the agency remains the same, she enjoys caring for people.
Finding Her Home with CEN
For 34 years, Nancy Cole has worked at Liberty ARC. She’s worked in residential support positions, as well as day hab support positions, however, after all these years, Nancy said she’s finally found her favorite “home” with the agency’s Career and Employment Network (CEN) program as an employment support specialist.
Job Coaching That Builds Self-Confidence
“It’s rewarding seeing someone who’s struggling to find a job and struggling to make money become someone who’s maintaining a position and paying their bills and thriving independently,” Cyndi Moore, employment support specialist for Liberty ARC’s Career and Employment Network (CEN), said.
“You can make such a difference when you help someone achieve their goals.”
Kristina Wyman, has been working as an employment support specialist for Liberty ARC’s Career and Employment Network (CEN) for under a year, but she already knows she loves her position.
“You can make such a difference when you help someone achieve their goals,” she said. “It’s a great feeling to have and we have such a great team here at CEN – we all work together and help the people we support accomplish great things.”
‘Anyone With a Disability Has As Much Right to Employment As Anyone Else’
“Anyone with a disability has as much right to employment as anyone else,” Liberty ARC’s Employment Support Specialist Caroline Snell said. “I think it’s important to recognize people with disabilities who work because they’re accomplishing their goals. We need to recognize them for going to work and working side-by-side with you and me – they’re getting it done.”
Recognizing & Supporting Those With Disabilities Who Work
Liberty ARC’s Admissions and Intake Coordinator Valerie Harrington said she believes National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a crucial way to recognize those with disabilities who work, and in turn it inspires those who want to work but don’t think they can.
“People with impairments shouldn’t feel held back from working,” she said. “If you have a drive to work, then there’s a job for you.”
‘It’s Our Job to Help Them Realize What They Are Capable of’
“My sister has Spina bifida – she works full-time and lives alone,” Liberty ARC’s Senior Employment Training Specialist Kalesha Niles said. “Having a job has been so rewarding for her; the confidence and feeling of independence she gets from working have been huge. When I saw how happy having a job made her feel, it influenced me to work here at Liberty ARC to help individuals find employment.”
Liberty ARC, Where Work Doesn’t Feel Like Work
“Working with Harry Bugasch isn’t like work at all,” Liberty ARC Direct Support Professional (DSP) Sue Pacillo said. “Harry’s fun, he’s got a great personality and he puts me in my place sometimes, which is what everyone needs from time-to-time.”