“The most rewarding part of my job is to see our participants progress, learn new skills, learn to become more independent, and learn how to change their own behaviors when they need to be changed,” said Patricia Kabot, Site Supervisor of Seniors’ Resource Center’s (SRC) Starr Center. “I love to see them get better. To see them progress is the best.”
SRC’s Starr Center provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in the
Denver metro region to make new friends and learn new skills. It offers a variety of lively activities in a structured environment. Participants, ages 18 – 40, learn independent living skills, safety skills and community integration.
Patricia has been the Site Supervisor at the Starr Center since 2012. She worked with developmentally disabled adults in Florida for six years before moving to Colorado. Her passion has always been helping people.
Patricia and Nancy
The staff doesn’t just teach the participants skills for independence, they also teach them values.
“Recently we went to the Botanical Gardens for Earth Day and the purpose of the trip was to teach the participants about the environment and teach them how to respect it. We also picked up trash the day before around the Starr Center for Earth Day.”
Patricia has the honor of working with Nancy Ramsey, Program Assistant. Nancy has been working at the Starr Center since they opened their doors in 2007. Nancy started out working at SRC’s Adult Day program 10 years ago.
“About seven years ago we had eight special needs participants at SRC’s Adult Day program who were separated from the seniors because their behaviors didn’t mix. One day Linda Johnston, Director of Adult Day, told me they were going to open a center for developmentally disabled adults,” said Nancy. “I told her that I would really like to work there, even though working with seniors was my first passion. It was and still is really on my heart to help the developmentally disabled.”
According to Nancy, the best thing to happen to her and the Starr Center was the hiring of Patricia. “It was a God Send,” she said.
“The smallest things make you happy working with this population,” said Nancy. “It’s amazing to actually see the participants learn a new skill and hold on to it. It’s just like WOW!”
All of the participants are so positive towards one another. Being around other developmentally disabled adults helps them out a lot. It helps them see there are other people like them that are doing well. They are always cheering each other on, which really helps them feel connected like a family.
Patricia and the rest of the staff always hear good things from the participant’s parents. They express to them how great their adult child is doing and what an awesome job the Starr Center does.
“The parents really love what we do. They love that we are always active, always out and about and always teaching new skills to their children.” Patricia said.