Becoming financially independent is something everyone hopes to achieve after graduating high school but for PossAbilities Participant, Tammie, the road to independence hasn’t been easy. About ten years ago, Tammie was working with an agency to find work. She found a job, was working full time, and then she got hurt. “I hurt my hip,” said Tammie. “I was using a walker.” Tammie was out of work recovering for more than six months. She had to quit her job and the agency wasn’t able to find her work that catered to her hip condition. Therefore, Tammie decided she need a change. “I went to PossAbilities,” said Tammie. Once at the organization, Tammie started working a couple hours a week. She was cleaning at several businesses including Rainbow School and Byron Pet Clinic. The work was great, but Tammie still needed more income to become financially independent. In 2013, Tammie joined the PossAbilities Discovery program. The program focuses on helping participants find employment that fits their needs. Tammie was able to obtain a job, sitting and labeling test tubes for the Mayo Clinic. “I’m good at Mayo,” smiled Tammie. Today, Tammie is working five days a week at the Mayo job and she continues to clean at Byron Pet Clinic and Rainbow School. “More spending money,” said Tammie. And for the first time she is financially independent.

“I got cable, internet, an I-pod,” beamed Tammie. “A checking account. I went to Branson, Missouri.” Missouri was Tammie’s first vacation on her own and this year she’s gearing up for another adventure. “I want to go to Florida,” added Tammie. It’s a dream right now, but Tammie knows she can make the trip a reality. She has the drive to continue working and the support of the PossAbilities staff members to succeed.

Help others like Tammie by

joining the PossAbilities Provider’s Club

www.PossAbilities.org

Living her Dream

The Insider December, 2015

Happy Holidays!

At PossAbilities, people with disabilities are thriving, valued and engaged community members. We want to

continue to honor our values into the new year. Therefore, we have started a new program. At the end of

November, PossAbilities launched STARS (Striving Toward Achievement, Recognizing Strengths).

“It is an important addition to PossAbilities services because it offers another choice to participants,” said

Enrichment Services, Division Director, Cristi Lyke.

The new program is for a group of participant who thrive better when in a small group. The participants will

work for employment services and engage in life enrichment activities.

“We recognized that we had a group of people who were special and needed

something designed for them,” said Cristi. “At least 50 percent of their day will be

spent contributing and connecting with the community through paid work,

volunteerism and outings.”

Six PossAbilities participants are enrolled in

the program so far. An additional 12

participants are expected to be added over the

next couple of months. We will have an

update on the program coming up in the

January newsletter.

Helping Local Non Profits

Page 2 The Insider

New Program for Participants

PossAbilities staff members

and participants helped raise

money for the United Way

through a bake sale. The

bake sale brought in about

$400!

Once again PossAbilities

participants are ringing bells

for the Salvation Army.

Watch for us around town!

What do Youth Rec Participants want for the Holidays?

Page 3 December, 2015

PossAbilities is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation

committed to serving children and adults with disabilities through individualized, community based programs. We help people find

and keep jobs, become engaged members of the community,

contribute through volunteerism, and experience integrated social and recreational opportunities.

Page 4 December, 2015

Page 5 December, 2015

Happy Holidays!!

Katy is celebrating 28 years

at PossAbilities!

1808 3rd Avenue SE

Rochester, MN 55904

Phone: 507-281-6116

www.sshones@possabilities.org