By Nicole Lemire
Eight years ago, Rocio ran into a friend that worked at BCArc, who was out and about with an individual with a disability that she worked with. Rocio had such a good time getting to know him that she decided to apply. Today, she is still happily serving people with disabilities, including the man who first inspired to her to apply.
“I fell in love with the individuals,” she said. “I knew that this was what I was meant to be doing.”
Rocio has worn a few different hats at BCArc, initially doing residential support, then working as a job coach, and now a Community Advocate.
“This job is a 50/50 split between administrative tasks and spending time with the individuals, which is why I love it,” Rocio said. “I am able to help individuals with their independence and growth, while also being able to spend time in the office setting.”
The office work includes planning out events, acting as a liaison with the state, and creating and keeping track of individuals’ goals and progress. When she is not in the office, Rocio finds time to see the individuals that she is assigned to, often going on group outings and to fun events such as dances and bingo nights.
“I fell in love with the individuals,” she said. “I knew that it was what I was meant to be doing.”
When someone is going through a challenging time, community advocates will step in and call together everyone who supports this individual to address the situation.
“It is up to us as Community Advocates to gather the team — supervisors, site managers, family members — and get together to have a program review and make a plan.”
As the name implies, Community Advocates help individuals to become active members in their communities and experience things that they previously might not have been able to. Rocio loves to see them build friendships and connections with the people they meet out and about.
“There are some people that I’ll go out with, and when we walk around, everyone in town knows them. They are so loved by their communities.”
