Team Leaders

We’re pleased to introduce you to our Northwest Team Leader, Doug Tryon. The Northwest Team is one of our four community-based teams for Career and Leisure Services (CLS), which provides part-time and full-time support to adults with developmental disabilities in their communities.

When did you start at the DDRC?

I did a “government grant” position in 1986, and in 1987 I was offered a permanent position.

What made you want to work here?

I enjoyed working with the people at DDRC when I did the government grant position. I wanted to return so I could assist people to learn skills, and help them be the best they could be.

What’s the best thing about being a Team Leader?

I feel being able to share my skills and knowledge with others has been one of the best parts of being a Team Leader, but I must say also that learning new things from clients, families, and CRWs has been a growth experience for me.

Can you share a recent success story from the Northwest Team?

A client was having difficulty taking the initiative to work on his goals. Over time, with support and encouragement, one day he took the initiative to approach an employer for work. He was offered a part-time position doing recycling, which is an area he was interested in working in.

Tell us about a hidden talent that you have.

As I have gotten older, I am discovering talents I did not know I had. We’re renovating our house, and I have been enjoying drawing up the plans for it. I am actually doing the woodwork and using power tools, which I used to be terrified of.

The DDRC’s PACE program has been offering support to young adults making the transition from high school into the post secondary or working world since 1996. Team Leader Shannon Mills has shared a bit about herself and why she works here.

When did you start at the DDRC?

I started with the DDRC in October 1993.

What made you want to work here?

I was a student at Mount Royal University in the Rehabilitation program (now Disability Studies), and answered an ad to work in the group homes that the DDRC used to own.  I have been with the DDRC ever since in a variety of different roles, but I must say that the Team Leader role is so far my favorite!

What’s the best thing about being a Team Leader?

What I like best about it is the people that I get to see and work with on a daily basis. All of the management team, members of Career and Leisure Services teams, a variety of people from other departments, the PACE team Community Resource Workers, and of course the clients! Every day is a new and exciting day and I love the DDRC community as a whole.

Can you share a recent success story from the PACE team?

PACE has been growing rather fast, and we are currently supporting 48 clients. The team has been very welcoming and has embraced the growth with eagerness and excitement. We have many clients successfully pursuing their education and career goals, and to share a comment from a newer client when asked how things were: “PACE is just blowing my mind!” (In a good way.)

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I love to travel and have been lucky enough to do so! I have been to many places, but still on my list is Australia!

 

You may remember the interviews we conducted with Northeast Team Leader Cassandra Therens, Central Team Leader Selma Gearhart, or Northwest Team Leader Rochelle Hughes. Now it’s time to head south and get to know our South Team Leader, Tobi Lynne Fowler.

How long have you been with the DDRC?
A little over two years. I started as a CRW for the PACE team, and became the South Team leader just over a year ago.

What made you want to work here?
I’ve been in the industry for about 20 years. Before coming to the DDRC, I was providing in-home support. And after a couple of years I decided it was time to get back into the industry outside of my home because I wanted to make sure that my skills were kept up, and all of my training was up to date. I just didn’t get the same kind of opportunities when I was only working out of my own home.

I had always heard wonderful things about the DDRC. I applied to several agencies, and the DDRC was of the ones that returned my call, and here I am!

What’s the best part about being a Team Leader?
Getting to know all of the staff and clients, and just the contact that you have with everybody within the agency.

Can you share a recent client success story from the South Team?
We have many people that have started new volunteer and employment positions. We’re also seeing a lot more clients advocating for themselves.

What is your favourite thing about fall?
The weather. It’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold. You can still do a lot of things outside, and you can barbeque without having to wear a winter coat!

The Northwest Team is one of the DDRC’s community-based teams; Community Resource Workers support clients in their career and leisure pursuits. Team Leader Rochelle Hughes is the driving force behind this active group … here’s your chance to get to know her a bit better!

How long have you been with the DDRC?
Since October. So … ten months.

What made you want to work here?
I really wanted to work in a day program for adults with disabilities. The DDRC was hiring for a position that I was qualified for, so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m glad that I did!

What’s the best part about being a Team Leader?
Probably the combination of being able to work both with the clients as well as in the office with the other administrative teams. It’s a good mix.

Can you share a recent client success story from the Northwest Team?
We had two clients go for interviews this week, so that was a big success!

What is your number one pet peeve?
When automatic toilets flush when you’re still sitting down. The “spray up”. I don’t think that anyone likes it, but nobody talks about it.