We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris McCormick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.
Chris, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
The journey to being the best mom I can be has fundamentally shaped my purpose and professional path. My son is autistic, and being his advocate, caretaker, and best friend is the guiding force in my life. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities but also ignited a passion within me for disability awareness and inclusion. Living a high-stress life where my son’s needs are paramount, I realized that I couldn’t settle for just any job—I needed a job that truly mattered. This realization led me to my current role at Community Knights, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to inclusive skill-building experiences for people with disabilities. We also offer Disability Inclusion training to local businesses, addressing the under-employment of individuals with disabilities and working to change that narrative.
My journey with my son has honed my advocacy skills and deepened my empathy. Advocating for his needs in various settings has taught me how to effectively communicate and fight for necessary accommodations and support. Balancing my son’s therapy appointments, accommodation needs, and my professional responsibilities has required exceptional adaptability and time management skills. At Community Knights, I am blessed with the ability to work from home and have the flexibility to make my schedule around his needs, ensuring I can be the mom he deserves.
I thrive when I can share my gifts and talents. In my personal life I am a mural artist and photographer, I find immense joy in creative expression. At Community Knights, I designed our office and completed a mural incorporating participants from our programs. I also share disability awareness by telling the stories of the participants through interviews and photography, highlighting their journeys and capabilities. This storytelling is crucial for raising public awareness and fostering inclusion. Working for a meaningful cause at Community Knights allows me to integrate my professional skills with my personal experiences. It provides me with a platform to contribute to a more inclusive world, where my son, and others like him, are embraced and accepted for who they are. This role not only aligns with my core interests but also supports my ability to be the best mom I can be.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Professionally, I am the Development Director at Community Knights. What I love most about my role is that every day is different, and I get to use my degree in Communications as well as my personal creative talents. What excites me most about my work is the direct impact it has on individuals’ lives. Seeing participants grow, gain confidence, and achieve their goals is truly inspiring.
At Community Knights, we are dedicated to removing barriers to community engagement for individuals with disabilities. One of our newest initiatives is the Knight Rides Program, which addresses the critical issue of transportation. Many people with disabilities cannot drive, which severely limits their ability to get to work, go to the grocery store, or engage socially. Imagine not having access to transportation—how isolating that would be. Through Knight Rides, we provide volunteer drivers to help bridge this gap. Without this program, our participants in the READY program would not have access to their skill-building internships at local businesses. Looking ahead, we have several exciting expansions planned. We are broadening our skill-building programs to reach more individuals and forming new partnerships with businesses to enhance our Disability Inclusion training.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are empathy, adaptability, and creativity. These qualities have not only shaped my personal life but have also been crucial in my professional role as the Development Director at Community Knights, Inc.
Firstly, empathy has been the cornerstone of my journey. Understanding and deeply caring about the challenges faced by people with disabilities, especially through my experience with my autistic son, has driven my passion for disability awareness and inclusion. For those early in their journey, my advice is to actively listen and engage with diverse perspectives. Seek out voices and sources led by people with disabilities. Volunteering, joining support groups, and building genuine relationships with people from different backgrounds can greatly enhance your empathy.
Secondly, adaptability has been essential in balancing my responsibilities as a mother and a professional. Life with a child who has moderate support needs is unpredictable, and being able to adjust to new situations and demands quickly has been invaluable. A crucial part of adaptability for me is self-care, especially through my love for adventure and travel. Taking time to explore new places and experience new things helps me refuel and be the best mom I can be. For those starting out, embrace change and be open to learning from every experience. Incorporate self-care practices like mindfulness, stress management techniques, and activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Adventure and travel can be particularly rejuvenating, giving you fresh perspectives and renewed energy.
Lastly, creativity has allowed me to thrive both personally and professionally. Whether it’s through designing murals, capturing stories through photography, or finding innovative solutions to organizational challenges, creativity has been a vital outlet and skill. For those looking to develop their creativity, I suggest exploring various artistic outlets, taking on new projects that challenge your thinking, and continuously seeking inspiration from the world around you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and step outside your comfort zone.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to develop these qualities by seeking experiences that push your boundaries and deepen your understanding of others and yourself. Engage in continuous learning, be open to change, and always find ways to express and nurture your creativity. These skills will not only boost your professional capabilities but also enrich your personal growth.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, we are actively seeking partnerships and collaborations at Community Knights to enhance the impact of our programs. Whether through sponsorships, strategic partnerships, or mentorship opportunities, these collaborations are vital to supporting our mission of promoting disability awareness and inclusion.
Specifically, we are looking to partner with organizations and individuals who share our passion for empowering individuals with disabilities and creating a more inclusive society. Financial support is crucial for expanding our programming and reaching more people with meaningful skill-building experiences and Disability Inclusion training. If you’re local the Hampton Roads, VA area we are always looking for area businesses to become worksites, as well as skill trainers, and volunteer drivers.
If you are reading this and interested in collaborating with us to support our mission, we invite you to reach out to us directly through our website www.communityknights.org. Together, we can work towards building a truly inclusive community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.communityknights.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityKnights
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/community-knights/
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