![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sandbox3.foxtrotdev.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Tina-HoH-YTS-WM-1.jpg?_t=1733247513\")
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Introducing Tina, Humanim\u2019s dynamic new Youth Transition Services (YTS) Coordinator! Tina joined Humanim in the summer of 2024 and is determined to make a difference.<\/p>\n
Tina’s role in YTS is to help middle and high school students with disabilities get real life experience in the workplace. The program places students in various work environments throughout the area, where they earn $15 an hour for up to 40 hours per week over an eight-week period.<\/p>\n
“My job is to get employment for students with disabilities, get them to experience life in a working environment and to give them the courage to know that, even with a disability, they can do anything they put their minds to,” she says.<\/p>\n
Tina holds an associate\u2019s degree in Criminal Justice and came to Humanim after an 11-year career as a correctional officer, most recently as Acting Warden in a Pennsylvania facility. “I wanted to be able to create change and this job helps me do so. While working as a correctional officer, I\u2018ve seen with my own eyes how lives can drastically change from making mistakes you can\u2019t come back from,” she says. “The position I\u2019m in helps me prevent people from possibly wanting to go down that road of crime. Creating change is providing support and motivation to those who need a helping hand by opening a new door of experiences.”<\/p>\n
In her role, Tina works closely with both employers and students in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City. She spends her days talking with potential employers such as CVS, Walgreens, Harris Teeter, and YMCAs, among others, to explain the process and see if they are willing to host a student. The majority of her placements are retail establishments, but she has had some hospital placements where students are involved in food prep. Tina is hoping to diversify the types of placements offered.<\/p>\n
She reassures employers that Humanim provides full support to the students throughout the process. The program handles administrative details, including insurance, scheduling, time-keeping, and wage processing, allowing employers to focus on the students\u2019 development.<\/p>\n
Tina’s number one priority is to be there for her students. “I enjoy seeing the students adapting to the work environment and learning different skills. My goal is to get them hired permanently at a job site,” she says. Though the program only requires her to check in twice a week, Tina stays in constant communication, often texting or calling daily. She also visits the students on the job if they\u2019re having trouble, offering hands-on support when needed.<\/p>\n
For instance, when one Spanish-speaking student found it difficult to stand for hours while stocking shelves but was too nervous to express this, Tina quickly stepped in to arrange for accommodation.<\/p>\n
So far, Tina says, her students have a 100% attendance track record.<\/p>\n
Her proudest moments in her job involve “seeing the students happy and seeing that they are enjoying the work they are doing, overcoming their fears about being in working society.”<\/p>\n
Outside of work, Tina enjoys cooking, cleaning, reading, and playing video games with her niece and nephews. She especially loves visiting her family in Pennsylvania, where she finds peace in the mountains and countryside.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re excited to have Tina at Humanim! Her enthusiasm and dedication are already creating a positive impact.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Introducing Tina, Humanim\u2019s dynamic new Youth Transition Services (YTS) Coordinator! Tina joined Humanim in the summer of 2024 and is determined to make a difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[62,61,17],"class_list":["post-28669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-humansofhumanim","tag-teamhumanim","tag-youth-services"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n