Marci was a student at Western Oregon University studying to be a teacher when she met a friendly neighbor in her apartment building. They regularly chatted while getting their mail, and he told her that he was part of the Supported Living Program at Ron Wilson Center – and that they’re always looking for good staff. Marci applied for a position as a Direct Support Professional thinking she’d earn a few bucks before graduation, but even after she earned her degree, she kept working with RWC.

Marci continued to grow in her career and discovered her passion for working with people. She was promoted from DSP to House Manager, and then eventually Associate Director. When RWC was looking for a new Executive Director, Marci’s unmatched passion for helping people, encouraging their growth and improving their lives made her the top choice.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

The people! The relationships I have built with others over the years – both staff and the people we serve – are the main reason I couldn’t picture being anywhere besides RWC.

Loralee came to RWC from the retail side of accounting. While she was initially unsure how her background would lend itself to the human services world, she has enjoyed it more than she ever imagined.

Working at Ron Wilson Center, Loralee gets to utilize her skills while being given the honor of seeing the people they serve meet their goals and strive for independence.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

I love that I feel like we really make a difference in not only in the lives of the individuals we support but also in our employee’s lives.

Jacki was inspired to get into this line of work by a family member with Autism. She started as a DSP with another agency in 1995 but quickly discovered her passion for quality assurance. After helping manage and oversee several homes, she was assigned to do some consulting work in Southern Oregon. She loved the work and loved the area – both of which led her to RWC.

In 2012, Jacki took all that she had learned in her successful career and brought it to RWC. As the Director of Compliance & Training, she strives to keep learning in order to provide the best care possible.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

The people we support. When they are happy to see me, share their lives with me – the good and the bad, or even just tell me about their favorite things, I am reminded why I do this. RWC is a family.

Justin graduated from Southern Oregon University with a Bachelors in Business and Management of Human Resources. He knew he had a passion for addressing the needs of an agency and its people, so after University, he worked in various HR roles for 9 years looking for his perfect fit.

Justin found exactly what he was looking for at RWC. It is a place that feels more like a family than a business, and it has provided him the opportunities for growth he was looking for.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

At the end of the day, we are here to help people live their best lives and that starts with finding great staff. I enjoy working with my fellow teammates and knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of the people we support.

Cassandra’s passion for helping others started at just 15 years old when she began working with children in foster care. While she didn’t know exactly what career path lay ahead of her, she had heard good things about Ron Wilson Center.

Cassandra started as a DSP, but with encouragement from her coworkers and management, she applied for a House Manager position. After learning about the industry and taking the time to develop herself and those around her, Cassandra was promoted to QA & Development Coordinator where she takes pride in helping others succeed within their roles.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

The people – from the individuals to the management, we are a team. Like every team, not everything is perfect all the time, but we are in it together.

Like many of those who have built their professional lives at RWC, Robert did not expect to find his calling working with people with disabilities. But once he became aware of the need within their community, he jumped at the opportunity to make a positive difference in so many people’s lives.

Robert helps to coordinate events, volunteer projects and so much more. While he is proud of what he has accomplished, he is most thankful for the smiles he gets from the people he serves – making someone’s day better is the biggest reward he could ask for.

What is your favorite part of working at RWC? 

My favorite part about being with RWC is impacting someone’s life for the better – from helping individuals gain independence in the community for the first time to watching a DSP pursue a passion they had discovered while employed here. Everyone can grow to be better with the right motivation and support.