Building community is an essential part of helping people live their best lives, even for our staff! For Alyssea, it’s one of the top reasons she still loves coming to work after nearly a decade at Community Living.

In the fall of 2017, Alyssea’s aunt, who also worked with people with disabilities, told her Community Living was hiring. She left her job in fast food to work as a Direct Support Professional in the S.O.A.R. program. Two years later, she left for college, but she knew she had found a home at Community Living, so she returned for seasonal work until she accepted a leadership role at one of the S.O.A.R. Summer Camp sites in 2025. At the end of the camp season, she wasn’t ready to leave. The relationships she’s formed with the program’s staff and participants kept pulling her back.

“During my time at SOAR the thing I enjoyed the most, other than being with the participants, is the relationships this job has allowed me to form,” she explained. Even the little moments, like turning her back for a second and missing a mishap with Play-Doh helped solidify the bonds she had with the people she works with. “I have found a group of people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. Some of these people have taught me things I never would have known before and most of all this place and these people allow me to be myself.”

“Community Living has really shown and helped me realize that this is what I want to do,” she said. “It has always been a dream of mine to continue with this company for as long as I can.” Her dream started to morph into reality when she was introduced to Adult Recreation, the other arm of the Recreation Department at Community Living. Recently, Alyssea accepted a full-time role as a Recreation Leader for Adult Recreation. “As I continue to grow in this new role as Adult Rec Lead some things I am looking forward to are nights out with the members, getting to host and run my own events, and lastly building everlasting relationships with these members!”

When she isn’t working, Alyssea is a self-proclaimed “softball fool,” playing five nights a week on different co-ed rec softball teams. On the rare occasion she isn’t playing softball, you can find her in the backyard enjoying a bonfire with her family.

Alyssea’s 9+ year journey with Community Living started by applying for a role in S.O.A.R. The program is currently building the Summer 2026 team. Those ages 17+ with a passion for helping people live their best lives are encouraged to apply. No experience is needed and paid training is provided.