From Participant to Staffer: Cynthia’s Story

Sometimes, the best way to land a nonprofit job is by first experiencing its impact as a participant.

For Disability Empowerment Center staffer Cynthia Coffin, a phone call set things in motion. She was living in Denver, had recently earned a master’s degree and was plotting a move to Seattle.

Knowing that Centers for Independent Living are a great resource for information and services, Cynthia found Disability Empowerment Center in Seattle. She got connected to Terry Jones, an Independent Living Specialist, who it turned out had also lived in Denver. While bonding over that coincidence, Terry learned about Cynthia’s background and experience working as an intern with several nonprofits.

“Through motivational interviewing, I learned that Cynthia had a master’s degree in social work and had been involved with a Center for Independent Living in the Denver area,” Terry says. “We had just posted a job opening at Disability Empowerment Center, and I encouraged Cynthia to apply for the position. I thought she would be a great fit for our organization.”

Cynthia arrived in Seattle in May and was hired as Disability Empowerment Center’s new Program Coordinator.

“My ideal job is to work as a program coordinator or independent living specialist. I need to gain skills in the social work field,” Cynthia says. “I’ve always wanted to do this type of work since I graduated from college. And, I have passion for working with people with disabilities.”

Today she says her favorite part of the job is working with participants, “seeing them succeed and getting motivated to complete their goals.”

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[Visual: Headshot of Cynthia, a white woman with short wavy dark blond hair. She’s wearing glasses and a headband.]