You don’t have to talk with Pam Neff, Director of Environmental Services at Brethren’s Retirement Community (BRC), long before you realize that she understands that each person has skills, abilities, gifts and talents.  After all, Pam’s motto is…”there is a job for everyone.”

It takes someone with these core values to see the potential in everyone and over the years BRC has had many success stories working with individuals with disabilities (both students and adults).  One of the keen attributes Pam possesses is patience and this has led her to believe and understand that everyone can learn with a little extra time.  She says, “Most times, it is just a matter of taking things slowly and teaching one skill at a time.”

Pam partially credits her value system to growing up with a sister who only had one leg.  Their parents always treated her like everyone else, having the same goals and expectations for her.  While recalling her upbringing, Pam stated that her sister didn’t even know she had a disability until she was much older and even then, she didn’t subscribe to the idea.

Pam oversees the laundry and housekeeping departments at BRC and has worked closely with employment and educational programs that assist individuals with disabilities in training for and finding jobs.  BRC also supports individuals by allowing them to volunteer and/or participate in work-based assessments – both opportunities are helpful for individuals to learn important job skills.

Another unique and positive way that BRC has supported the youth in Darke County is by opening their facility to be used as a training site for the students in the Hospitality Program at Greenville High School.  This partnership has proven successful in training students in highly sought-after skills that can help them find a job during and after high school.  In fact, the Environmental and Dining Services Departments have hired several of these students upon graduation.  Some have been with BRC for over five years and are working full-time with benefits.

Most recently, Pam was thrilled to offer a young man with disabilities the opportunity to move to full-time employment with benefits.  Although this young man has only been with BRC less than a year, his strong work ethic, reliability, positive attitude and ability to work well with his teammates did not go unnoticed.

As an employer, Pam sees each person individually.  She is a teacher at heart and enjoys seeing the positive effect that work has on people.    It can provide a sense of purpose, increase self-esteem and offer financial independence.  This is why when Pam is offered an opportunity to help someone you will likely hear her say, “Why not?”

If you are interested in learning more about hiring someone with a disability, please contact Rodney Willis, Darke DD Community First Director, at 937-459-4626 or rodneyw@darkedd.org.