It is often said that having a job can positively impact a person’s greater sense of purpose. Here at VALLEYLIFE, we believe one of the best ways to enhance the quality of life for our Members is by providing employment assistance within our Vocational Program.
Over the years, VALLEYLIFE has had the privilege of partnering with several notable employers around the valley, which has helped secure job opportunities for Members. One of the longest and most active of those partnerships has been with the Arizona Lottery, which has helped provide job opportunities for VALLEYLIFE Members for over 20 years.
Thanks to funding from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Mercy Care, and Vocational Rehabilitation, VALLEYLIFE Members have been providing custodial services to the lottery since July 2004. A crew of about three to four Members travel on-site to clean the location five days a week for 4 hours a day. With the help of a full-time Employment Specialist, provided by VALLEYLIFE, Members receive job coaching, training, and support to further boost their skills and independence.
Since the beginning, the lottery has integrated Members into their culture, often inviting them to join in on events and activities on-site. It is something that has made a world of difference to the Members.
“The AZ Lottery staff welcomes the crew as part of their team and makes them feel valued and appreciated,” said Jennifer Baier, Director of VALLEYLIFE’s Vocational and Employment Services. “It’s something that many of our Members who work there have said makes a huge difference in how they feel about their jobs.”
For Members like Mike C., who has been with the lottery for 20 years, going to work is something that brings him immense pride.
“I like going to work every day,” he said. “We work with good people who care about us.”
Besides getting to put his energy towards helping others, working at the lottery also provided him with the opportunity to meet new friends, particularly his best friend and girlfriend of nine years Joelle R., another VALLEYLIFE Vocational Member. The pair enjoys vacuuming and cleaning the restrooms, and they especially enjoy working alongside Ron DiBiasio, VALLEYLIFE’s full-time Employment Specialist assigned to the Arizona Lottery.
“Ron is a great guy,” Mike said. “He makes me laugh and I get to see his heart every day.”
In addition to Mike C. and Joelle R., Ron also works with VALLEYLIFE Members Mike W. and Nate V. throughout the week, emphasizing helping each of them reach their employment goals. Outside of VALLEYLIFE, Ron also occasionally supports Members of Mercy Care. Each Member he works with is actively on a plan to make a progressive move away from the structured program setting into a permanent job in the community, with or without ongoing support.
Despite the occasional challenges that come with any job, working for VALLEYLIFE and supporting Members at the Arizona Lottery is a job that he says has been incredibly rewarding and has allowed him to help leave a lasting impact on others.
For more information about how VALLEYLIFE serves Members’ employment needs, check out our Vocational Services Page.
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