I started working at Values into Action while I was still in college, so I was in my early twenties. I had a fresh perspective, but it was also a skewed perspective in a way. I was attending college classes that didn’t use person centered language and seemed to have a focus on “fixing” people. It was very clinical in nature.
I was lucky enough to start my professional career at Values into Action. I was lucky because it opened my eyes and my mind to an organizational culture that truly respects people as the experts of their lives. We, as professionals, meet the person where they are and follow their lead.
There are many things I learned from my years of experience with Values Into Action.
I Iearned patience.
I learned that I am not the leader in someone else’s life.
I learned that while I can empathize, I can truly never know what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes.
I learned to ask questions and not assume.
I learned to put myself in uncomfortable situations to make myself comfortable.
I learned of discrimination that I never knew existed.
This prompted me to become more active and to promote awareness with others. Around 2009/2010 I attended a rally in Baltimore with someone who accepts support at Values into Action. Together him and I created posters that said, “Spread the Word to End the Word.” We held them up proudly and shouted along with the crowd. The rally focused on ending the use of the “r-word” which we know is a word used to demean, insult, and discriminate against people with disabilities. It also has an extremely negative effect on the self-esteem of people it’s used against.
This experience introduced me to ideas on how to take a stand and how to promote inclusive action. While becoming educated on injustices, I learned a lot. I learned that people with disabilities could not even make minimum wage at their workshops. I am pleased to be able to watch the movement of “employment first” grow and take priority. It’s not only a priority within the “field” but a priority in people’s lives as well. As we know, employment helps connect people and empowers people. It can make people feel accomplished in the tasks that they are wanting to do. It also provides financial independence.
As I grew professionally over the years, I was able to compare Values into Action’s approaches to other organizations. It was astonishing to me that not every agency views people as the leaders in their own lives and capable of making decisions.
At Values into Action, and this was back in 2009, I was supporting people in hiring their own staff. The person was an active participant in the interview process. We created ads that talked about their likes and dislikes and what they would want in a support person in order to have a good match. If the match didn’t turn out how they hoped (because that can happen) then the person did not work with them any longer. The day-to-day schedule of the person supported was dictated by them and not a staffing ratio or a van schedule. We encouraged self-direction and questioned policies and procedures that didn’t make sense for the people using services. These foundational values and approaches remain at Values Into Action today.
This is why, in my career path, once leaving Values into Action to venture in other opportunities, I inevitably came back. I came back because it’s hard to find an agency that “gets it” and Values into Action’s values fit my values.
It’s about the person and their goals. I learned that my job is to support someone to live their best life. I learned that I gain fulfilment in my work by helping to make that possible alongside people. And that’s why I’m still here and proud to be an employee with Values into Action.
It’s here that I feel I can fully be the best support to those I work for and alongside. It’s amazing to see what has been accomplished in the past 20 years. It gives me so much hope and excitement for what’s to come.
Here’s to Values into Action’s 20th birthday and I am looking forward to many more!
