As the year winds to an end, I find myself reflecting on all the things that I have to be thankful for in my new role at Yes She Can as Director of Training Programs. One of the things for which I am most grateful is our organization’s ability to attract and maintain such a high caliber of talent among our staff. When I first started with Yes She Can, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the extensive professional experiences that each of the Job Coaches brought to the table. It can’t be overstated how valuable their insight and expertise is in the direct support that they provide to our trainees.
Jennifer, who has been with Yes She Can the longest, came to us with years of experience as a social worker in the disability field. Beginning her career as a Medicaid Service Coordinator, she brings a foundational knowledge of the systemic challenges that our trainees face that makes her support style so rich and full of compassion. Recently, Jennifer has shifted from providing direct support to assisting with trainee recruitment efforts, spending time getting to know the current players in our field, and figuring out the best ways to spread Yes She Can’s message. Her dedication to Yes She Can’s mission is so appreciated.
Laura is our busiest coach, supporting our trainees three days a week. Also a social worker by training, Laura came to Yes She Can with experience as a disability advocate and with a background in retail. As you can imagine, her retail knowledge has been very useful to Girl AGain.
Recently, Laura has been studying how to support people on the autism spectrum who have interoception difficulties (the ability to understand and feel what’s happening inside one’s body). Her growing knowledge about these practices has become especially useful in her training sessions at Girl AGain. I’m so thankful to be able to learn from Laura.
Kathy, our newest coach, joined this Fall and has jumped right into the deep end of Yes She Can’s work. As an occupational therapist, Kathy brings a unique perspective to her coaching practices with our trainees. She has expertise in executive functioning supports, which have been enormously helpful in teaching our trainees vocational skills that can be a bit more nuanced and hard to understand. It also doesn’t hurt that Kathy is an absolute pleasure to be around–her friendly disposition and positive attitude allow the trainees to feel comfortable as they get to know her better. Kathy’s contributions to the organization are so valuable!
A huge thank you to our coaches (and all Yes She Can and Girl AGain staff) for all their hard work, creativity, and perseverance as we navigate a world that continues to look a little different than we would like. I’m so grateful to you all!
###
By Amanda Becker-Torres, Director of Training Programs
You can connect with me at Amanda@yesshecaninc.org
Leave a Reply