The Everyday Champions

My Conversation with Job Coach Alejandra Gonzalez

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” (Helen Keller).

 

Alejandra Gonzalez, Job Coach at Common Ground Co-Operative, has dedicated 13 years to do her part of exemplifying this message with the partners in our community. I had the pleasure of speaking to her about her role at CGC. We chatted, she reminisced, we laughed, and I cried listening to her beautiful and touching stories of her experience, here, at Common Ground. Here is our chat:

Sam: When did you start working at Common Ground?

Alejandra: My first day was Sept 30, 2008. Wow! It’s been around 13 years! I have a background in nutrition and before CGC, I was a running an infirmary kitchen managing diets for people discharged from the hospital and who didn’t have a home to go to. It was there that I met the former Executive Director of CGC, Jenny Hope. She told me about Lemon and Allspice and later that year, I interviewed for a position and got the job.

Sam: It’s amazing how a connection can so dramatically alter your life! Tell me about your first few weeks with the organisation. What was it like?

Alejandra: The organization blew my mind away. I was already working in a community setting, but when I met the partners and job coaches, they truly blew my mind away. I was in shock seeing these amazing people baking things I could not bake myself. The enterprises and how it was set up and how they empower the partners was brilliant. I joined the team as a job coach and my role was and has been to bake with the partners: helping them measure ingredients, clean, prepare baked goods and lunches and work the cash register.

Sam: Have you always liked to cook?

Alejandra: Oh yes! I have always been a good cook. Since I was a kid. I wanted to learn more about it, and it was the science of food that really fascinated me. But I was not a baker until I joined CGC. I learned the scientific art of baking here. It truly is a science and I learnt that the hard way… I once forgot one teaspoon of baking soda and the whole thing was ruined! It was an amazing learning process to develop my skillset.

Sam: What inspires you about your job?

Alejandra: The partners inspire me. It’s as simple as that. When they break their own barriers to get to work and they show up at the kitchen, ready to work, I must be ready for them. I must support them and give them what they need to achieve their goals.

The other thing that inspires me is the impact we have on the community. I want to tell you a story. When one of the partners started working with us, she was 21 years old and when she was going through the placement process, things were just not working out. Her mother approached me and asked me how she could help the partner’s progress. I looked at her and told her “You need to stop doing things for her! What I see is a person being sheltered at home who is fully capable. You need to stop doing the dishes, the laundry, things for her and allow her to do it on her own.”

10 years later, today, that partner is living on her own and has a group of friends. She is confident and she gained her independence. Sometimes we don’t realize that by protecting someone, we are creating the barriers that they need to break. I pushed her to succeed in the kitchen and her mother mirrored that at home in such a beautiful way and we are so proud of her today!

Sam: That is so powerful! So, it’s not just the partners of CGC that benefit from the community.

Alejandra: Oh no! The families are part of our community and it’s wonderful to see individuals come to CGC and start building that community with friends and support. I am growing up with them and I am watching them grow up before my eyes and to see them flourishing is so rewarding.

Sam: I love hearing stories like these! I honestly have tears in my eyes imagining the magnitude of growth in that story and the impact it must’ve had on the partner’s family! Is there another defining moment that you would like to share?

Alejandra: I remember the day Cathy Lemon retired. CGC began as a dream – her dream. She retired last year (2021). I was the coach who accompanied her out that last time she was on our premises. She looked at me and said, “Alejandra, this was my dream and I made it a reality. It became bigger than what I thought it was going to be.”

I asked her, “How do you feel about this?” She paused and took a moment before responding, “Promise me that you will carry on this legacy. It is time for me to retire, but I want CGC to be here for future generations – promise me that.” I will never forget that moment and I am passionate about doing my part to make her wish a reality.

Sam: I can only imagine how moving that must have been for you! Why do you think CGC is so impactful and important?

Alejandra: When you look at children who have developmental disabilities, there are so many support systems in place in Ontario that can help them through the education system. But think about a kid who has just graduated high school. After the Ministry of Education closes their file, they are in limbo. I can only imagine the impact of family members seeing their loved ones in that limbo.

When you come to CGC, enroll in our foundational programs, and learn skills that can help you create an independent life, connecting with other people and making friends as an adult, that is the value we bring to our partners and their families!  We are here to work and break employment barriers. Look at our kitchens and our coffee shops – we use industrial grade equipment, and our kitchens pass ministry regulations that any other corporate kitchen would. This is professional and we mean business with our offering. If your child is ready and wants to work, CGC is the place for them.

Sam: What do you think our partners and our community are teaching the outside world?

Alejandra: We teach the world that with the right guidance and support, you can accomplish anything. If you look at the quality of what we make every day and how we empower each other, there’s the proof.

It was truly inspiring to speak to Alejandra. She represents an entire community of champions, driven to empower and determined to share with the world the magic that happens in our kitchens (and our organization). These are powerful, ripple effects that are going to evolve the world to a place where all adults with developmental disabilities are vibrant, valued members of the community.