When Christine “Chrisy” Pearre started volunteering with The Arc Jacksonville seven years ago, she never expected it would change her life. Three years later, she joined The Arc Jacksonville team as a Community Living Coach. Through her volunteer work, Chrisy discovered her passion, leading her to take the next step in her career.

I found my fit at The Arc Jacksonville, said Chrisy. I enjoy what I do, and I feel like what I do matters.

As a Community Living Coach, Chrisy serves as a liaison between The Arc Jacksonville, families and local agencies. She works closely with participants in the Adult Day Training Program (ADT), helping them to set and achieve personal goals. She also develops and implements programming for alternative training and community integration. She enjoys making a genuine connection with program participants, having a positive impact and making others around her feel valued.

She is nice and works hard,? said Henry M., an ADT program participant. Henry enjoys visiting her office to talk and described her as helpful and encouraging.

Chrisy appreciates that The Arc Jacksonville is always looking for what’s next? for the people we serve. We continue to push boundaries in how we can take the next step forward, she said.

We’ve increased the power of choice by allowing our participants to have other options and activities throughout the work day. With the help of other team members, Chrisy started weekly group sessions on scrapbooking, yoga, exercise and more.

The goal is to help participants develop power to love their life through choices, she said.

For Chrisy, volunteering at The Arc Jacksonville was the answer to “what’s next?”

The Arc has helped me find my home,? said Chrisy. There’s a good connection here.