Meet Marissa Chavez

We were lucky to catch up with Marissa Chavez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

This can be a challenging question to answer if you haven’t already found your path in life. Mine certainly took some turns and exploration along the way. An important aspect is to get to know yourself, needs, wants, what you are good at as well as what you would like or need to improve. I’ve learn that all of this does not come with a simple “there ya go” attitude. It’s something that must be fine tuned and ever growing.
My purpose in life is a work in progress but has direction. I happened to find my vocational calling by chance. I was working in a department store, when one day my brother who had bounced from job to job landed a position in an adult group home for individuals who had developmental disabilities. His enthusiasm for this position peeked my interest and I applied. Low and behold this was the start of my purpose. I finally found something that made me feel good and that I was giving back but also learning about those I had perhaps passed by and not given much thought to. This was some 25 years ago and while I may not work in a group home setting anymore I am immersed in the field of disability culture and my purpose has been to advocate, educate, learn and listen.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My professional path has had a primary focus of disability culture and everything thing that composes it. Currently, I am the Site Manager at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, a local non-profit Down syndrome Acheivement Center as well as a live-in direct support professional to an individual who has cerebral palsy.
I enjoy the difference in positions but also how they relate to one another. Advocacy and the importance of the individual!

GiGi’s Playhouse provides free educational, therapeutic and career skills building programs to individuals with Down syndrome but are inclusive to all. A mind blowing organization whose message is to change the way the world sees Down syndrome but in all honesty they do so much more for the community.

In my other world as a direct support professional, I provide assistance, being an extension of the individual in their daily living. This type of profession unfortunately often gets over looked but let me tell you it should never be overlooked or seen as menial as it is someones life who deserves to live with the best quality of care and support necessary.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Openness – this is having the ability to receive anything that comes your way without bias or judement
2. Exploration – Be open to exploring things and direction that may be uncomfortable as you never know what may be in store
3. Self Aware – know yourself and be confident in your abilities as well as where may fall short

As mentioned in my 3 most important qualities the world is your oyster. Learn about you and what makes you happy. Live your failures but also learn from them. Always be willing to grow.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My community (every aspect) has been my most helpful arena to overcome any challenges as well as helped me develop the essential skills, qualities and knowledge I have needed to be successful. Networking and building your own support system has been a great aspect of my life and growth. Each and every person has contributed in someway to my growth.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego

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