Raechel Martin has had previous experience working in several different fields and took a supported employment course in college. She has worked with Youth Outreach and several restaurants in the area but because of her college course and knowing she wanted a job giving back to her community, she decided to mvoe into the direction of supported employment for a career. When not working she keeps busy being a wife and mother of one. She loves gardening and spending free time with family and friends. Her favorite quote is “May the force be with you”. She also has a great sense of humor and fits in with the team well. When asked about what she lieks so far about working at MV Advancements she said “the passion the employees have for their jobs.”

Mike Schmidt comes with a lot of retail experience as a previous manager of Staples. He has worked with MV Advancements (Mid-Valley Rehabilitation) for over seven years as a employer. One day Mike spooted a group of folks waiting in the Staples parking lot and stuck up a conversation. The IP Department heard about the contact and went and met with Mike explaining who we are and what we do. He hired Ti Gahr and worked with his Employment Specialist Joyce Nikula. Mike wanted to work for MV Advancements because of “Great people making big differences in people’s lives”.

Stephen Flamm recently joined the Polk & Marion County Community team. His primary duty is job developing, which means he spends his day networking with employers and and developing new employment opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing employment with community businesses. Stephen will soon be sharing more about our clients with Dallas and Salem Chamber of Commerce members.

Andrew Wallace_Lawson joined the Polk & Marion County Employment team as a job coach. Andrew provides employment supports for individuals in community-based jobs. Previously, Andrew worked as a 1:1 support staff on the Dallas DHS and WOU Janitorial crews.

Jessie Roberts recently joined the WOU Janitorial team as a 1:1 support staff. We love Jessie’s attitude and she is creates wonderful interactions with everyone on the crew!

Stephanie Hensley is the newest addition to the Dallas DHS Janitorial team. She serves as a 1:1 support staff and her team provides janitorial services for two DHS buildings and the Dallas DMV.