InAlliance

Save the date! On May 7th, you can help support our belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have an absolute right and responsibility to participate fully and equally in society to maximize their quality of life potential. Big Day of Giving (BDOG) is an annual 24-hour giving event that unites caring people to raise funds for nonprofits that strengthen the greater Sacramento Area.

Participation on May 7th can include making a donation or helping spread the word about InAlliance and the work we do.

Use this link to give: https://mtyc.co/6gftgg

Aidan Adamenko joined SMUD as a paid intern through the Paid Internship Program (PIP) six months ago. After starting in another department, he recently transitioned to the IT team, where he dismantles laptops, removing batteries and hard drives so that confidential information is protected.

The Paid Internship Program (PIP) is a program from the Department of Developmental Services designed to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for valuable work experience in competitive, integrated environments. Through the PIP, participants like Aidan work in paid roles that help develop professional skills.

Aidan is supported by his job coach from InAlliance, Edwin Badua, who meets with him once a week to provide whatever support Aidan might need to be successful. When asked about the type of support he receives, Aidan specifically remembered Edwin's advice on the importance of being social. While learning technical skills is valuable, Edwin encouraged him to also focus on building interpersonal connections, emphasizing that communicating with others and forming relationships are just as important for growth and success in the workplace.

The collaboration between InAlliance and SMUD helps make this Paid Internship Program succeed. InAlliance job coaches, like Edwin, check in with SMUD management to see if any issues need to be addressed. Arlene Chacon, a key member of SMUD's Talent Acquisition team, has played a vital role in welcoming and supporting interns like Aidan as well. She shares, "Our relationship and partnership with InAlliance has been very transparent and very open...we talk about what's best for the individual, what's best for the agency, and we really try to balance that relationship. We've been doing a great job at doing that, and I really appreciate that InAlliance is very open to just understanding where SMUD stands, as well as SMUD understanding where InAlliance stands."

As we reflect on this year, we are filled with gratitude for supporters like you who make our mission possible. Thank you for supporting InAlliance and helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build more independent and fulfilling lives. As the year ends, please consider a final, tax-deductible gift to help us continue this work in 2025.