Gratitude Abounds...Celebrating The 3rd Annual Grateful Table!

Our evening together...

In July, Life Works invited and gathered with the good humans who partner with us to celebrate all things Inclusion, while pointing our attention to the heart of our work and the energy fueling our Mission. This event, enveloped by gratitude, is our way of taking a pause. Bringing all people from across the vast county of San Diego where we live, work and collaborate, together in one place to take a collective pause and a collective breath. We gathered to celebrate our humanity and share stories of Inclusion and the Gratitude that comes with the opportunity to live real lives, in real communities.

Tacos, beans, rice, salsas and ice cream provided the sustenance our bellies needed to ground us in the moment.

Breaking bread, er, tortillas with others is universally accepted as a practice in connection. Connection is paramount here at Life Works. Gathering people is also easier when tacos are involved! The sustenance our hearts and souls require, to stay in this work and remain committed to Inclusion for all people, is fueled by the

stories of the humans that comprise our community. At Life Works, we are privileged to partner with people looking to access their highest future potential, regardless of role or label. We partner with people in neighborhoods and workplaces. We partner with organizations with like-minds and warm hearts. And when it all comes together, like at our 3rd Annual Grateful Table gathering, what emerges is an evening full of affirmations. These affirmations, via storytelling (spoken word, art, dance and film) provide us with reminders on how to stay the course and the importance of celebration and reflection.

Cultivating a Culture of Connection

Our featured speakers for the gathering were the members of Team Nick. Nick's team embodies connection, deeply meaningful relationships and collectively work together through engaging in reflective practices such as daily check-in's the team calls Pow Wows.

They have formed a brotherhood, literally, referring to one another as "Usos" which means brothers. Through the cultivation of these relationships within the team, Nick's capacity to grow in relationship with himself and those he interfaces with in the community is deepening. Whether at work, school, TaeKwonDo or elsewhere, Nick teaches anyone he comes across. He teaches mindfulness. Compassion. Connection. Determination. His team collectively teaches us what it looks like when a group of humans open themselves to each other as a means of holding ourselves accountable to our values, our mission and in Nick's words "How to bring people to the light." Nick is a deep thinker and often reflects on the reality of our shadow side, which is why he finds his own calling to be that of bringing people to the light.

Honoring our Team Members

As the evening progressed, we shifted our attention to the humans who make up a large portion of our organization: Team Members. In our industry, people in support roles have become titled as Direct Support Professionals. We like to refer to people by the names their mama gave them, a simple and profound act honoring our shared humanity and leveling the field. Our team members are the lifeblood of the organization, so it doesn't take much motivation for us to find ways to celebrate them and their commitment to all things Inclusion and most importantly, the partnership they have with the people they support.

The Beth Gallagher Grateful Table Award

Dwayne Mack...teacher, guide, supporter and ally.

Each year, we recognize one individual who exemplifies our overarching mission. This award is given in honor of a commitment to Inclusion and Growth for all people with Community. This year's recipient, Dwayne Mack, has been partnered with Daniel for over 10 years. Lamika Thomas, Associate Director of Life Works and closely connected to Dwayne and Team Dan, has this to say about Dwayne:

"Dwayne Mack plays a vital role in Dan’s daily life, personal growth, and overall well-being. As a Direct Support Professional, Dwayne has gone far beyond the scope of his formal responsibilities to provide Dan with genuine friendship, mentorship, positivity, and brotherhood. Dwayne was instrumental in helping Dan transition from living in a group home to successfully maintaining his own home. He is one of the original team members who provided hands-on support during that pivotal change, ensuring Dan is living the life of his dreams. 

For the past four years, Dwayne has invited Dan to join his family for Thanksgiving; including him into family, friendship, and a sense of belonging. His commitment to inclusion and friendship has helped Dan build meaningful relationships beyond professional support. 

Dwayne has become not only a trusted direct support professional, but also a true friend and positive role model in Dan’s life."

Dwayne has always held himself to a high standard of support for everyone he's come across in his life, and in particular, with Daniel, what has emerged is the manifestation of what is possible when two humans open themselves to each other.

So while we as an organization recognize Dwayne for his dedication and commitment to Daniel and to Life Works through this award, we're acutely aware of the importance of the relationship that has been built and tended to over the years and the continuing effort to nourish that relationship as the priority. To say we are grateful for Dwayne and his presence would be understated. And, it is true. We are grateful.

Movement and Celebration through Dance

The culmination of our time together was about celebration and dance. A new supporter and ally emerged this year, Marisol Avina-Perkins. A dance teacher who offers her gifts to the community through exuberance and movement. Marisol introduced herself to the larger Life Works community and invited us all to join her and some fellow instructors on the patio.

A critical element to our sustainability as an organization, as the individuals we are as Inclusion Activists and Change Agents is our Wellbeing. Marisol is the newest addition to a thread of energy we're weaving into the fabric of Life Works. What are the practices that restore our resilience?

How can we honor and gather people in the name of Inclusion? Wellbeing? Person Centeredness? As we have now completed our 3rd Annual Grateful Table event, we learn a bit more about the importance of these gatherings, of each other and our collective efforts for Inclusion and Thriving. Together we truly ARE better. So, let's stay on this path. Let's put one foot in front of the other...together. Let's breathe one breath at a time...together. Let's honor our common humanity and strengthen our ties to ourselves and to the community.

More Magic from our Gathering through photos!