To shine a light on our workforce development professionals making a difference this National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re highlighting Amanda, the Manager of Humanim’s Evidence-Based Supported Employment (EBSE) program.
EBSE supports those we serve in their path to self-sufficiency by providing person-centered employment services, connecting individuals with severe and chronic mental illness to competitive, mainstream jobs. For over five years, Amanda has consistently gone above and beyond to help individuals in the program find meaningful employment, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to their success and well-being.
In her role as Manager of EBSE, Amanda has worked tirelessly to connect clients with employment opportunities, providing them not only with job leads but also with valuable career guidance, personalized support, and encouragement throughout the job search process. Her ability to identify the unique needs of everyone and tailor her approach accordingly has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Amanda recently became a CPRP (Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner). The credential is a nationally recognized, test-based certification awarded by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA). It validates a professional’s expertise in helping individuals with serious mental illness achieve recovery, independence, and community integration through evidence-based psychiatric rehabilitation practices.
Amanda’s professional experience coupled with her natural patience and empathy enable her to create a trusting environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Whether she is helping someone refine their resume, prepare for interviews, or navigate challenging job market conditions, she consistently offers both practical assistance and emotional support.
Recently, when an unhoused individual came to Humanim seeking EBSE services, Amanda was first in line to help make it happen. She went out of her way to assist them with services outside of the workforce program as well, helping the individual find a therapist and fill out applications for a Residential Rehabilitation Program. Even though securing these supports was beyond her usual job description, she recognized that having wraparound services in place would be essential to ensuring the individual could be successful in their job search.
Amanda has continually demonstrated a proactive attitude, regularly following up with program participants to ensure they are progressing toward their goals. She has also gone out of her way to build relationships with local employers, ensuring that everyone receiving EBSE has access to the latest job openings and opportunities that align with their skills and interests.
Beyond her client-facing work, Amanda has been an invaluable team member, always ready to assist colleagues, share knowledge, and collaborate on innovative solutions to improve the overall efficiency of our services.
Our Manager of Marketing recently had this to say in relation to a project they were working on, “Any time I collaborate with Amanda, she’s always very patient and on top of communication. She is truly a pleasure to work with.”
Amanda embodies the spirit of Employment with Empathy, reminding us that meaningful employment is about more than just finding a job; it’s about helping people believe in themselves and their potential.