Toward Maximum Independence

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. (Learn more: https://juneteenth.com) #juneteenth #bethechange

Select Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) as your nonprofit of choice on AmazonSmile and easily give back when you shop on Prime Days June 21 and 22 and all year around! AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon. The only difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to TMI. Please click on the photo for instructions on how to activate AmazonSmile on your iPhone or Android. All donations to TMI via AmazonSmile go directly to our Julie Casey Honorary Fund, which assists our clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities with essential items such as food and clothing. We thank you in advance for making an impact. Happy shopping! #amazonprime #amazonsmile

Thank you Assemblymember Jim Frazier for fighting for funding for invaluable services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please make your voice heard as well by letting Governor Newsom know that it is vital that he approve the Legislator's budget. Please take a couple of minutes to take action: www.TheFutureIncludesUs.org We thank you in advance! #lantermanact #CABudget #thefutureincludesus #bethechange #weareessential #DSPsAreEssential #IDD

We are hiring! Community Facilitator - Tailored Day positions serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - Central San Diego and South Bay Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) is a nonprofit organization that has been transforming the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities since 1981 and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2000. TMI is committed to the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities into all facets of commu...nity life. The Facilitator will assist with life skills training including mobility, time management, and other needs of the individual. The Facilitator will also assist with enrolling client in social and community activities, events, with college or post secondary educational classes, scholarships, and exploring employment opportunities. The hours for the position are from 10am-4pm Monday through Friday. This is a 25-30 varied hours per week position. It will start immediately after the paid employee training is completed. Also, the position has the potential to receive benefits when an employee has established 30 hours a week after 60 consecutive days. The Facilitator uses their own vehicle to transport the individual as needed. A flexible schedule is a must including weekend hours. Mileage is included. Please visit: https://www.tmi-inc.org/join-our-team for a complete list of our open positions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Jethro is a shining example that disability doesn't mean inability. His solo travels and work ethic are truly inspiring! Thank you to BO-beau kitchen + bar for partnering with us to transform Jethro's life. #mondaymotivation #idd #transforminglives #nonprofit

This is a beautiful story! It is never too late to adopt or to become a Resource/Foster Family. We have children waiting for a caring home in San Diego County. Contact us for more information. We are very happy for this family! #sandiego #bethechange

We are hiring in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Help us transform lives doing a job that you will love with a great team! Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) is a nonprofit organization that has been transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) since 1981 and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2000. We have served veterans with disabilities since 2020. We have full and part time positions available supporting... individuals with our Employment Solutions program, as well as positions with our Community Living Services program. We are also in need of Resource/Foster Families for children with special needs. Please visit: https://www.tmi-inc.org/join-our-team for a complete list of our open positions. We look forward to hearing from you!

An inspiring Denise Castro Replenish Hope podcast with Toward Maximum Independence Executive Director Rachel Harris was just released! You will hear the heart of a wife, mother, grandmother, first lady, sister, and a social worker dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. #podcast #nonprofit #idd #transforminglives

TMI client, Kennesha, couldn’t believe it when she was named Miss Amazing Queen and cried when they announced her name! Congratulations, Kennesha! (The Miss Amazing 2020 Virtual Presentation is included with this story.) #missamazing

"This opportunity to work for UPS means everything to Jake because it is his dream to be able to live independently. He has achieved so much, but none of it would be possible without people embracing him and giving him a chance." #dontlimitme

Due to COVID-19, TMI held our Annual Holiday Party virtually this year. Our clients and staff still had a wonderful time enjoying music by DJ Maze, visiting virtual festive rooms to participate in such activities as holiday caroling, bingo, pet show and tell, trivia and more. While we weren't able to capture photos of all of our clients and staff who participated, the smiles of those that we did says it all. We can't wait until we can all be together again!

Beautifully written. #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #DontLimitMe #FollowFriday

Now, TMI has made my dream come true. I don’t feel lonely anymore. #nonprofit #transforminglives #idd

"But Pippa isn’t Down syndrome. Pippa is Pippa." #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth

Congratulations to our client, Jon, who was awarded Employee of the Month at Kohl's. Jon is with our Tailored Day Services program and has been with Kohl's since September. During this challenging time, Jon continues to stay positive and do his best each day. Way to go, Jon! #kohls #employeeofthemonth #idd #nonprofit #transforminglives #sandiego

Our client, Martina, created this awesome banana car via Zoom with her TMI Job Coach Erika Valera. This is so creative! We can't wait to make one too! #downsyndromeawarenessmonth #nothingdownaboutit #bananacar #creativefood

We are excited to share our Annual Report with you! It includes an inspiring message from our Executive Director Rachel Harris, success stories regarding our clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, agency accomplishments, financial results, and more! #nonprofit #annualreport #transforminglives #idd #bethechange

Can you provide a caring home to foster youth with special needs in the San Diego area? We have youth waiting for a caring home. These youth have a variety of needs, but all require families concerned with their overall well being. Some placements are temporary, while others could lead to adoption and family for life. We offer a competitive monthly stipend. Please RSVP to attend our upcoming trainings to learn more. #bethechange #specialneeds #transforminglives

TMI Tailored Day Services client, Jojo, is taking an online art class through the Educational Cultural Complex with the assistance of her TMI Facilitator Teresa Perez. It takes a lot of coordination for this to happen. In addition, Jojo's attention has to be engaged and sustained on Zoom. Most times Jojo is engaged, but sometimes not. This is a picture of what Jojo did this week. She was certainly engaged! We are proud of you, Jojo. Keep up the great work! Kudos to Teresa for being an awesome TMI Facilitator and to TMI Division Manager Cathena Ferrero for sharing Jojo's success with us! #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #DontLimitMe #NothingDownAboutIt #nonprofit #TransformingLives #artwork #art

"Ultimately, Chris’s Ironman attempt isn’t for the attention or the accolades. Instead, it’s about inspiring the millions of others like him around the world to reach their full potential..." #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #MondayMotivation #DontLimitMe #IronMan

The latest TMI news, success stories about our clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and more in the fall issue of our newsletter. Please be sure to subscribe to never miss an update! #nonprofit #newsletter #idd #transforminglives

Under her dynamic leadership, TMI is steadily growing and becoming one of the most innovative, cutting edge, progressive, and profitable organizations in the industry. She continues to expand TMI to ensure that individuals with disabilities have quality options for services now and for years to come. Congratulations to our Executive Director Rachel L. Harris and thank you for all that you do! #nonprofitleadership

You can make a difference in the lives of our clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities while you shop Amazon Prime Day deals on October 13 & 14. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/33-0185759 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to Toward Maximum Independence. All donations go directly to the needs of our clients. We thank you in advance and happy shopping! #PrimeDay

A HUGE congratulations to our client, Kyla, who recently passed her food handler card exam. This is something she tried to accomplish multiple times and has worked extremely hard to achieve! She spent countless hours at the library (when it was open) retaking the test and finally she passed. Her TMI Job Coach Michelle Luna couldn’t be more proud of her, along with all of us at TMI. Kyla hopes to start looking for employment when it is safe for her to do so. Way to go, Kyla! #waytogo #missionaccomplished #success #nonprofit #transforminglives #temecula #congratulations #idd

Michael, who has #DownSyndrome and #CerebralPalsy, completed the #LondonMarathon in 8.5 hours. Congratulations, Michael! #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #WorldCPDay

TMI is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Held each October, NDEAM aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year marks not only the 75th observance of NDEAM, but also the 30th anniversary of the ADA. #ADA30 #NDEAM75

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Together we can share acceptance and awareness, ultimately contributing to further inclusion. #morealikethandifferent #nothingdownaboutit #downsyndrome #bethechange #inclusion #downsyndromeawarenessmonth

Deven is a dedicated frontline hero with an awesome story to share! #CPwarrior #frontlineheroes

Believe in yourself! #mondaymotivation #believeinyourself