Happy Thanksgiving from NWGA CIL!!

The title says it all! Our staff wanted to take a moment to express what each of us are thankful for this year, and share it with all of you!

Maia Santamaria, Executive Director

“I am thankful for the opportunity to work with and serve so many wonderful people, and to pass on the empowerment that I have learned; for living in a compassionate, giving community; for being able to live my life as positively, healthfully and independently as possible; for having been entrusted to share my life with so many incredible cats and dogs; and for the love and support of my family and my friends who have become my family, especially my husband. I wish everyone the bountiful blessings of the holiday season, now and always. Thanks be to God.”

Christina Holtzclaw, Assistant Director

“When thinking of what I have to be thankful for, it’s difficult to decide. I am blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. I wanted to express my thankfulness for NWGA CIL, our staff, everyone we partner with, and the community. I began working with NWGA CIL in 2004. It’s been my honor to serve our beautiful community. The center has grown in so many ways and we’ve added such fabulous members to our staff who have become family to me. I am most thankful to have the opportunity to assist people in gaining or regaining their independence. To have the privilege to see someone back into their community and enjoying their lives. I am thankful to live in such a loving community where generosity is abundant. Happy Thanksgiving!”

Avis Elliott, Business Coordinator

David Hortman, Development Coordinator

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite Holiday of year. Thanksgiving is a national holiday which allows all of us a day to pause, reflect upon our blessings and eat!We are so blessed and I am so thankful for so many things. I am very thankful for our family’s Thanksgiving feast. Our family history includes visits to other friends and families on that day, so we have the opportunity to eat turkey all day. Therefore, at the David Hortman household we serve grilled beef tenderloin, Brussel sprouts – for the wife, broccoli with cheese – for the kids, twice baked potatoes, mac & cheese, several salads, King’s Hawaiian rolls – for me, pound cake, apple pie and chocolate cake. We are truly blessed and thankful for all those blessings bestowed upon us by the Lord. The David Hortman family wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. Take pictures of your family feast and forward them to us, we would love to see them!

Kathy Baker, Independent Living Coordinator

“I’m very thankful for friends and family this holiday season. I’m thankful to have a job I love and coworkers that are committed to the same principles that I hold dear and put up with me.”

Jill Baldwin, Independent Living Coordinator

“This year has been an emotional roller-coaster for me and my family, but I still have a tremendous amount of things to be thankful for. The fact that we’ve all made it through the tribulations this year is more than enough to give thanks for, but on top of that I have a wonderful family, an amazing fiancee, two adorable cats & two hilarious dogs, and I work with the best group of people I’ve ever worked with. I truly believe in the work that we do here, and you can easily see that the rest of us do, too. I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for me, my family and us here at NWGA CIL, but whatever it is I welcome it with open arms of thanks.”

Ralph Jarrell, Information & Referral Coordinator

This Thanksgiving I’ve much to be thankful for. First of all I’m thankful for my new apartment and position with NWGACIL. I’m also thankful for all of the very kind people I work with at NWGA CIL. My apartment is quite a blessing after much trial and tribulation. I wish everyone at NWGA CIL, our staff and consumers, a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

NWGA Center for Independent Living

Empowering People With Disabilities