Passion Meets Purpose: Monica’s Career Growth at Easterseals

Monica’s journey to working in Adult Day Services at Easterseals Southern California is one rooted in family, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to disability inclusion. Growing up in a household where both parents worked multiple jobs, Monica and her sister—who has Down syndrome—shared a deep bond. “It was kind of like the kids raising each other,” Monica says. "My sister is my whole inspiration.” 

In high school, Monica’s passion for disability advocacy began to take shape. When her school wouldn’t allow her sister to visit her classroom, Monica took action. She founded a club called Aztec Buddies, which later partnered with a disability organization, to connect students with and without disabilities. The group started out with just 20 members her freshman year but quickly grew to more than 200 members by junior year. 

Shortly after high school, Monica worked in retail while she was her sister’s caregiver. Over time, the demanding schedule of the retail industry left little time for her sister and family.  

“She would ask about me, and it broke my heart to miss out on so much,” says Monica. Losing her mother in 2023 became a wakeup call for Monica—she knew she wanted to build a future where she could be more present for her family while also dedicating her time and energy to supporting people with disabilities.  

That’s when she found Easterseals Southern California. 

In 2024, Monica joined Easterseals as a Life Skills Coach in Adult Day Services. With a clear goal to grow within the organization, she worked hard, and in less than a year was promoted to Coordinator at the Easterseals Senior Day Center in Brea. Monica says, “It’s been such a huge blessing to take that leap of faith—and it did work out.”  

Beyond her professional growth, Easterseals has given Monica something even more meaningful: balance. She shares that the support she’s received has made a meaningful impact—giving her the time and flexibility to be present for her family in ways she couldn’t before. 
 
Looking ahead, Monica hopes to continue growing within Easterseals with the goal of one day becoming a director. She’s passionate about the mission and deeply values the opportunities she’s had to make a difference. “I want to keep growing, helping more people, and expanding what Easterseals does,” Monica shares. “This is where I’m meant to be.” 

As we celebrate Direct Support Professional (DSP) Week, we are proud to honor Monica and all our DSPs for their dedication, compassion, and impact. Monica’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion meets purpose—and how one person’s journey can make a change for so many others.  

Learn about our programs and become part of our dedicated team. Apply now at Easterseals SoCal! https://www.easterseals.com/esscjobs