Read

Meaningful Work for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Creator:
Published:
April 4, 2024
February 24, 2020
Watch how Misericordia Heart of Mercy is helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.|Watch how Misericordia Heart of Mercy is helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Casey S. emodies service with a smile. She lives and works at Misericorida Heart of Mercy, an organization that provides a home and meaningful work for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"We love each other here, and it's just fun because we make each other happy every day."

Video Transcript

Meet Casey: Baker & Dancer

Casey S., speaking to bakery customer: Okay. Anything else? Any coffee or a hot tea?

Customer: Yes. I'll have a coffee.

Casey S.: Okay.

Well, at Bakery Packaging we usually package all different baked goods. We do sweetbreads, we do cookies, we also do heart-shaped brownies, and then we'll package them when they get done.

Casey lives and works at Misericordia Heart of Mercy where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find a home and meaningful work.

We'll take a whole pan of brownies, and then you would need to cut the brownies, and it will become like a heart. Then we put powdered sugar on it, and it's usually really good.

Yeah, so this is my housemate, Jen. We live together at our apartment at Shannon Apartments. And we both like to have fun, and we like to laugh together. We're just one big happy family.

I've been dancing for at least 12 years. So I've done ballet, tap, and jazz. The Heartbreakers is a big dance group that we do at Misericordia. It's just really fun hanging out with friends, and we perform like all different areas. It's just really, really, really nice.

(Dance group bowing and laughing)

I enjoy all the customers here, and I like to talk to them and give out compliments. I like to say — like they might have a cute scarf or they might like...they have nice clothes. And I'll just tell them about my day and stuff. We love each other here, and it's just fun because we make each other happy every day.

Chris: You know Casey’s not afraid to give me a hard time. If I'm making mistakes, she’ll let me know.

Casey S.: Oh geez.

Chris: And, you know, she just —

Casey S.: Sometimes. Sometimes. (laughing)

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
April 4, 2024
February 24, 2020
On a related note...
Making Space for the Women Who Make Space

Making Space for the Women Who Make Space

Kelly Sankowski

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Javi Zubizarreta

Show up With an Open Heart, and Just Stay

Show up With an Open Heart, and Just Stay

Elizabeth Abrams

How I Found Community As a Queer Catholic

How I Found Community As a Queer Catholic

Michael Tarui

Community Thrives at This Historically Black Catholic Parish

Community Thrives at This Historically Black Catholic Parish

Grotto

Giving Migrants the Opportunity to Work, Earn, and Grow

Giving Migrants the Opportunity to Work, Earn, and Grow

Grotto

Why I'm Grateful for a Community That Challenges Me

Why I'm Grateful for a Community That Challenges Me

Kelly Sankowski

Volunteering at a Cat Rescue Keeps This Couple Strong

Volunteering at a Cat Rescue Keeps This Couple Strong

Grotto

Meatless Friday Recipe: Enchilada Casserole

Meatless Friday Recipe: Enchilada Casserole

Grotto

7-Language Radio Show in Zambia Spurs COVID-19 Awareness

7-Language Radio Show in Zambia Spurs COVID-19 Awareness

Grotto Shares

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

Caitlan Rangel

Escaping Reality at the Drive-In Theatre

Escaping Reality at the Drive-In Theatre

Grotto

Quick & Easy Tips for Finding the Best Deals

Quick & Easy Tips for Finding the Best Deals

Lauren Lawson

4 Mistakes We Make About Those with Down Syndrome

4 Mistakes We Make About Those with Down Syndrome

Kathryn O'Callaghan

5 Date Night Ideas To Try Out This Fall

5 Date Night Ideas To Try Out This Fall

Lauren Lawson

“‘Gang of Youths’ and Random Disclosure of Grace”

“‘Gang of Youths’ and Random Disclosure of Grace”

Paul Acampora

Why We Should Foster Intergenerational Friendships

Why We Should Foster Intergenerational Friendships

Robert Christian

"Have the Courage to Be Useless"

"Have the Courage to Be Useless"

Christian Santa Maria

7 Organizations to Help You Rethink the Economy

7 Organizations to Help You Rethink the Economy

Molly Cruitt

5 Ways to Work Against Assault-Culture

5 Ways to Work Against Assault-Culture

Mary Rose Somarriba

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.