Story & Interview by Ann Kennedy, WACOSA Sales & Marketing Director
Sharing stories is a powerful way to celebrate the talent and ambition within the WACOSA community. While most features highlight individual achievements in vocational skills or the arts, Loni and Ciera’s request for a joint story about their professional dreams offered a unique look into their journeys.
Typically, these stories follow a familiar path – career milestones and goals, the thrill of a performing arts production, or the mastery of a new skill. So, when Loni and Ciera, two vibrant members of the WACOSA family, approached me for a joint interview, I expected to follow that same roadmap. They told me they wanted to talk about their jobs, the staff who support them, and their dreams for the future.
We sat down and began the interview just as planned. We covered the logistics of their work history, their experiences with advocacy for disability services, and the specific staff members who had made a lasting impact on their lives. (For the record, by the time they got done listing staff that have made a difference in their journey, they basically listed our entire 2nd shift staff.) It was all wonderful, meaningful information.
But as the interview progressed, something shifted.
Between questions about career goals and professional development, the three of us found ourselves dissolved into fits of giggles, and in that moment, it hit me: while work and skills are important, that wasn’t the real story here.
The real story of Loni and Ciera is about friendship.
If you glance at WACOSA’s mission statement, friendship might not be the first thing to jump out at you. Our core focus is providing individuals with the opportunity to live and work in their community. However, “living” is a black and white concept without the human connections that give it color. For people with disabilities, inclusion is often discussed in terms of physical access or employment statistics. But true inclusion goes deeper is the act of being seen, known, and accepted. It is the ability to walk into a room and know you have “your person” there.
A key element of what makes us successful is the community that forms within WACOSA. Whether it is a staff member who acts as a mentor through a tough decision or a peer who shares in your deepest joys and sorrows, these connections are the lifeblood of our organization. When you have a friend who truly understands you, you feel safe enough to be your most authentic self.
Loni and Ciera reminded me that while we take great pride in the work we do and the skills we build, the one of the most transformative things we can offer is a place where friendship is allowed to flourish. In the end, our jobs might give us a sense of purpose, but our friends give us a sense of home.
