Through Our Eyes: What I Like About Working at Alphapointe

When I was a kid, my father once told me that if I loved a job, I’d never work a day in my life.

Now, approaching 40, I can honestly say that I do have a job that I love. Each day I walk into my office, sit down and consider the tasks ahead of me for that day with excitement.

So, it got me thinking. I wanted to know how my colleagues felt about working at Alphapointe. That’s when I grabbed my cane and made my way around the building to find out what they had to say. And are just a few of their responses:  

• “I love that I get to use my personal experience as someone with vision loss to help my clients achieve independence,” explained Mandy, Alphapointe Activities of Daily Living Instructor. “I’m free to express my low vision in my job and not hide it. It is viewed as a strength and not a weakness.”
• “I love connecting with people, hearing their stories, and making a difference in my community,” says Rhondine, Alphapointe Volunteer and Community Relations Coordinator in New York. “My own experience as someone with vision loss has taught me the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and making everyone feel welcome.”
• “Alphapointe gave me a chance when no one else would,” admitted Kevin, who works in Office Products. “That was true all those years ago and it remains true to this day. I wouldn’t have the life I have if not for Alphapointe.”
• “I truly believe I was put on this earth to take care of people,” Alphapointe recruiter, Terrie, said. “I love being at Alphapointe where I can take care of all the other blind and low vision people and help them with their needs. You will never hear me say that something isn’t my job. There is nothing I wouldn’t do and I don’t have to hide my vision loss; I can be proud of it.”
• “Alphapointe is such a family-oriented environment,” says Tiffany, Alphapointe Sewing Division. “There is employment, but there is also education, learning and support. There is opportunity for upward mobility, and everyone is just so happy all the time.”

We may be different ages, hold different jobs, and have taken different paths to get here, but we share a common belief: vision loss does not define our potential, and meaningful work gives purpose to our days.