Pros
After 5 years and two positions with this organization, I am as convinced today as the day I accepted employment that Values into Action strives every single day to put PEOPLE FIRST whether that be the individuals who choose to accept support, the Community Support Workers (CSWs) and Team Coordinators who actually provide the direct support, or any of the management and leadership who in so many ways support those whose role it is to provide the direct support. The culture is built on respect for diversity and openness AS WELL AS the overarching principle of inclusion and acceptance of disability or different abilities, all diversity, as a natural part of human life. In both my roles I have had the pleasure of interacting and working with amazing and dedicated people from all backgrounds and I am without doubt better for it and I have never worked with a better team.
Cons
If I must list a “con” it is that Values into Action’s mission and services are so cutting edge, so person-driven that it’s taking a while for everyone else (system) to catch up and that lag means that the work we and the CSWs do is undervalued by the system still trying to quantify that value and ensure that everyone who needs and wants services has access to the appropriate services of his or her choice. I guess I’d also add that smaller, cutting edge organizations like ours must always be open to change – ongoing change and reinvention. For some that may be difficult but, if you’re flexible and driven by social change, this agency may be a very good fit.
