Toward Maximum Independence, a nonprofit organization, recently announced a partnership with Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta, providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to do volunteer work at the hospital.
Robin Harrington. a job coach with TMI’s Community Integration Training Program, spearheaded the program. In December 2023, she approached Brian Connors, director of marketing for Southwest Healthcare, with the idea and worked with him to lay the groundwork for the collaboration.
“I had a vision to approach the hospital where I believed there would be an opportunity for our clients,” Harrington said in a news release.
“I scheduled a meeting with Brian who exhibited the same enthusiasm as me. I knew then that this partnership was born,” Harrington said. “The hospital stands for building relationships that touch the heart. Brian understood our mission and my vision,”
TMI clients’ work at the hospital includes assembling welcome packets for new patients and operating a “comfort cart,” delivering essential items to patients throughout the day.
Job coaches from Toward Maximum Independence, a nonprofit that works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and with disabled veterans, work with TMI clients assembling welcome packets for patients at Rancho Springs Hospital in Murrieta. TMI clients do volunteer work at the hospital in a program that began in 2024. (Courtesy of Toward Maximum Independence)
“Our partnership with Rancho Springs Hospital is a fantastic opportunity for our clients,” Rachel Harris, chief executive officer of TMI said in the news release. “Volunteering allows individuals to develop new skills, gain valuable experience and give back to their community. We are grateful to Rancho Springs for providing this platform for our clients to grow and thrive.”
Harrington and TMI job coaches Heather Clapper and Mandi Telford are providing ongoing support to the TMI clients in the program, providing individualized instruction and ensuring safety protocols are followed.
“TMI is a valuable addition to the Southwest Healthcare Auxiliary Volunteer Organization here at Rancho Springs Hospital and Inland Valley Hospital,” Connors said in the news release.
“Their ability to take on tasks with a cheerful heart and attention to detail has been remarkable. They are organized and willing to step in and contribute to whatever is asked of them,” Connors said. “We look forward to additional opportunities to have them serve in a variety of other tasks throughout our hospitals.”
Toward Maximum Independence, founded in 1981, serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Deaf and hard of hearing and veterans with disabilities. TMI’s Community Integration Training Program is a vocational and social skills training program.
For information about TMI and its services, go to tmi-inc.org.
