Meet Obinna Nnadi, Director of Day and Employment Services
The Arc of Cape May County is proud to spotlight one of our incredible staff members, Director of Day and Employment Services Obinna Nnadi. We sat down with Obinna to learn more about his work with the Arc and his hopes for the future there.
Before joining the Arc, Obinna worked with individuals with disabilities for about eight years. After an interview with Arc of Cape May County CEO Majken Mechling, he was inspired to work with the Arc. The two discussed the needs of the organization and together saw the potential to make a significant difference and support both individuals and staff. This conversation began Obinna’s journey at the Arc of Cape May County.
Majken and Obinna’s conversation highlighted one topic the latter finds incredibly important: staff support. Obinna knows that ensuring staff members can effectively support the individuals in their care makes for a positive environment for everyone involved. He believes in building staff morale and maintaining an open-door policy, allowing staff at the Arc to express their ideas and concerns without any hesitation.
Working with the Day and Employment Programs
In the four months since Obinna became the Director of Day and Employment Services, he has worked hard on making the Day Program very community-based, helping individuals interact with the community and feel comfortable performing age-appropriate activities. As part of this work, Obinna created monthly calendars with various activities for individuals to choose from, such as visiting local stores, exploring neighborhoods, and enjoying physical activities and games.
Obinna recognizes that these individuals are adults, not children, and so he makes it a goal that the activities available to them are ones reflective of their age and capabilities. The Day Program provides individuals with disabilities with opportunities to engage with others in a safe and supportive environment; they have the autonomy to choose what they would like to do and with whom, and the Arc staff are always there to be engaged throughout the program.
Obinna has also seen significant growth in the Employment Program. When he started, there were only six or seven individuals involved, and now, there are more than twenty. Most of the individuals in the program are now either employed or have job offers. The program’s employment coaches, like Brianna Wilson, play a crucial role in its success. Brianna, who has been part of the organization longer than Obinna, is very familiar with the community and is able to help meet the needs of the individuals in the program. Placing individuals in fulfilling jobs where they can grow, not just any job that is available, is a vital part of the program.
Obinna recalls helping one program member, Edward, find a job at the Wawa in Ocean City. Edward had been seeking a job for a long time, and thanks to the Employment Program, he is now in the process of being employed at a location close to his home. Another individual was able to get a job working at a retreat camp, where they have the opportunity for internal growth at the company. The Arc’s Employment Program helps make these connections, Obinna shares, and the individuals in it get to grow in both an independent and supportive position. To Obinna, knowing what activity or job will best suit each individual is part of what makes the Arc and its staff so special.
Why the Arc Stands Out
Obinna sees the Arc as a nonprofit that truly focuses on the care of individuals over anything else, and that makes them stand out among other organizations. Their unique approach to care includes community engagement, making sure individuals feel heard and assisted, and ensuring they are actively involved in their local community
This passion is clear not only in the Day and Employment Programs, but throughout the organization. The staff works together to ensure every individual has the resources they need to engage with the community, have independence and autonomy, and still be supported by people who can help when necessary. “I believe they are really there for the care of the individuals,” Obinna shares. “I’m also in it for that. I love to see them grow. I love to see them attain achievements and feel happy. I come in every day and I look forward to them.”
A Vision for the Future
In the future, Obinna would like to create a well-rounded and well-functioning program at the Arc, including recreational activities for community members. He hopes to create a safe haven where families feel supported and can access any and all information and services they might need. He knows that just having that support available can make a big difference for families in knowing they are not alone and have somewhere to turn to. Obinna hopes that individuals with disabilities and their families will be able to recognize the Arc and its Day and Employment Programs as places to safely be active in the community and get the support they need.
Outside of his work with the Arc, Obinna is passionate about cars, and enjoys working on and customizing them. He has a particular fondness for his Mercedes. He also values time with friends and family and having a strong support system. He often participates in activities like a 4k walk for lupus he recently completed for a family member. Ensuring others around him are cared for is a string that weaves through both Obinna’s personal and work lives, showing just why he fits in so well at the Arc of Cape May County. We are so glad to have Obinna working with us, and we are excited to see how he helps continue to grow opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the community.