About2023-11-20T20:01:51+00:00
ABOUT US

The Road to Rubi’s Positive Empowerment

Theresa Garcia was inspired to establish Rubi’s Positive Empowerment in 2019. Today, it is one of the most effective agencies in Colorado at helping individuals with disabilities find their passion and enhance their skills. Rubi’s job coaching and development programs set people up for success in the future, both personally and professionally.

Before Rubi’s Positive Empowerment, Theresa Garcia had recently moved to Colorado with no exact next steps. She joined a networking group intending to find some inspiration – or meet some. After all, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Inspiration is exactly what she found!

Theresa learned at a networking event that some schools were forcing students with disabilities to work in a transition program where the schools received all the payment, not the students doing the work. This did not sit well with her. Theresa felt compelled to make a difference for individuals with disabilities.

Soon after, she applied for a mentorship with a program-approved service agency working with individuals with disabilities. When she was asked during the interview what her ultimate goal was, she was completely honest, knowing she may not get hired.

She told them she intended to build a group home that would be run like a holistic community wellness center with a huge farm. It would be the first whole food, plant-based group home in the United States. By exposing the kids to as many professions as possible, and dovetailing their development into the things they most enjoyed, she would set them up for future entrepreneurship. If they wished, she would show them how to start a business doing what they loved, helping with everything from the business plan, to grant writing, all the way to acquiring funding.

ABOUT US

The Road to Rubi’s Positive Empowerment

Theresa Garcia was inspired to establish Rubi’s Positive Empowerment in 2019. Today, it is one of the most effective agencies in Colorado at helping individuals with disabilities find their passion and enhance their skills. Rubi’s job coaching and development programs set people up for success in the future, both personally and professionally.

Before Rubi’s Positive Empowerment, Theresa Garcia had recently moved to Colorado with no exact next steps. She joined a networking group intending to find some inspiration – or meet some. After all, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Inspiration is exactly what she found!

Theresa learned at a networking event that some schools were forcing students with disabilities to work in a transition program where the schools received all the payment, not the students doing the work. This did not sit well with her. Theresa felt compelled to make a difference for individuals with disabilities.

Soon after, she applied for a mentorship with a program-approved service agency working with individuals with disabilities. When she was asked during the interview what her ultimate goal was, she was completely honest, knowing she may not get hired.

She told them she intended to build a group home that would be run like a holistic community wellness center with a huge farm. It would be the first whole food, plant-based group home in the United States. By exposing the kids to as many professions as possible, and dovetailing their development into the things they most enjoyed, she would set them up for future entrepreneurship. If they wished, she would show them how to start a business doing what they loved, helping with everything from the business plan, to grant writing, all the way to acquiring funding.

info-4

Theresa didn’t get the mentorship position, but she was offered a position in a supported employment department. She wasn’t sure she would like the job, but after the first week she knew what her true calling was. She spent that weekend researching how to help her clients reach their goals. Two weeks in, she found herself in charge of the entire department.

She completely redesigned the department, and within a month, every client had at least one interview for a job that matched their goal. Two months later, clients were getting hired, and the department was growing. When Theresa wondered what was next for her, a counselor from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation expressed her interest in Theresa’s skills and asked her to become a provider herself.

Theresa took the advice and leaned in to the opportunity. She applied to become a provider and started Rubi’s Positive Empowerment. Today, it is a thriving business that has brought a lot of success for the people it serves and the community.

Theresa didn’t get the mentorship position, but she was offered a position in a supported employment department. She wasn’t sure she would like the job, but after the first week she knew what her true calling was. She spent that weekend researching how to help her clients reach their goals. Two weeks in, she found herself in charge of the entire department.

She completely redesigned the department, and within a month, every client had at least one interview for a job that matched their goal. Two months later, clients were getting hired, and the department was growing. When Theresa wondered what was next for her, a counselor from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation expressed her interest in Theresa’s skills and asked her to become a provider herself.

Theresa took the advice and leaned in to the opportunity. She applied to become a provider and started Rubi’s Positive Empowerment. Today, it is a thriving business that has brought a lot of success for the people it serves and the community.

info-4

MEET OUR EXPERTS

We Are Here to Advise You

THERESA GARCIA

Chief Empowerment Officer

BRITTANY D. KAIP, MS

Billing & Benefits Specialist

LAUREL RANKIN

Marketing Specialist

AVAILABLE JOB POSITIONS:

Employment Opportunities

We are looking for solution-oriented, compassionate, reliable, professional supportive employees that love to practice the things that we teach. Pay is $18/hour unless you are certified, then it is dependent on experience. We are looking to hire one full-time and one part-time employee.

info-6
NON-EXEMPT

Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist will work with individuals to gain and maintain employment. Focus will be on empowering clients to identify their strengths, find their voice, and use their unique outlook and abilities to contribute to their community. This position will also partner and develop relationships within the business community to explore staffing solutions, finding the ability connection with clients, while streamlining progress toward their inclusion and diversity goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

  • Meeting with clients (those with disabilities) and family in-person, virtually or via the phone to assist with job applications, creation and modification of resumes and setting up online job profiles. Performs initial assessments for enrollment into the placement program. This may include descriptions of cognitive status, social supports, family dynamics, mental health, substance dependency, and other issues and needs. Will prepare clients and attend job interviews with them.

  • Partner with businesses to identify opportunities to place clients for job learning, or paid positions. Work with the client to ensure they are trained for the position. Monitor the clients progress at the company and reassess as needed.

  • Detailed documentation of every interaction with clients, i.e., meetings, calls, missed appointments during the service time, uploading immediately or within 24 hours of occurrence.

  • Follows all company policies and procedures.

  • Teaching interview skills and accompanying clients to interviews to do job analysis, assess client growth and areas of improvement and to partner with businesses.

  • Conduct assessments, paid work experiences and job coaching, providing task analysis, skills assessment, and individual task training on site.

  • Provides ongoing support, counsel, and education to participants and family regarding a variety of issues, including but not limited to how they are doing on the job.

  • Developing job site support and accommodations

  • Advocating for clients and teaching soft skills for workplace success

  • Monthly Reporting

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Learn More2023-05-19T17:38:26+00:00

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

  • High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
  • 5 or more years of relevant experience required; business development, food service, retail, counseling, teaching or customer service.
  • Bachelor’s degree social work, psychology, human resources, preferred.
  • LCSW, preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications

  • Active driver’s license with a means of transportation, full coverage insurance and a clean driving record
  • Must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact. Unvaccinated employees are required to be tested twice per week at his/her own expense.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

  • Methodology that works best with individuals.
  • Current COVID regulations related to working face-to-face with clients.

Skills:

  • Passionate about serving as a bridge between businesses and individuals with disabilities.
  • An expert communicator: You can write, teach, speak, present and document with clarity and cogency.
  • A life-long learner: You have a thirst for knowledge, are a student of life, and can learn from any situation, task, or person.
  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships and collaborate with employees and customers.
  • Detail-oriented and organized.
  • Time management and scheduling clients.

Ability to:

  • Expertly communicate – write, teach, speak, present and document with clarity and conciseness.
  • Listen to understand client concerns and match with appropriate jobs.
  • Look for clients self-limiting beliefs and remove barriers.
  • Be self-motivated and proactive.
  • Work independently and collaborate with others on the team.
  • Communicate effectively with individual clients and company representatives in-person, through email/chat/video, or over the phone.
  • Monitor satisfaction levels of clients and companies where they are working.
  • Seek guidance from other experts on the team, when necessary.
  • Be available to work some weekends on an as-needed, rotational basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

  • In the community
  • On the phone or in virtual meetings
  • On job sites
  • Use of technology
  • Weekend work
  • Evening work
  • Communication

Seldom or Never

  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –

Sometimes or Occasionally

  • –
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –

Frequently or Often

  • X
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • X

Exposures

  • Standing
  • Walking
  • Sitting
  • Driving
  • Lifting
  • Loud noise

Seldom or Never

  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X

Sometimes or Occasionally

  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –

Frequently or Often

  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Walking, standing, bending, stooping, and squatting is required.
  • Must be able to drive a car to client locations.

AVAILABLE JOB POSITIONS:

Employment Opportunities

We are looking for solution-oriented, compassionate, reliable, professional supportive employees that love to practice the things that we teach. Pay is $18/hour unless you are certified, then it is dependent on experience. We are looking to hire one full-time and one part-time employee.

info-6
NON-EXEMPT

Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist will work with individuals to gain and maintain employment. Focus will be on empowering clients to identify their strengths, find their voice, and use their unique outlook and abilities to contribute to their community. This position will also partner and develop relationships within the business community to explore staffing solutions, finding the ability connection with clients, while streamlining progress toward their inclusion and diversity goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

  • Meeting with clients (those with disabilities) and family in-person, virtually or via the phone to assist with job applications, creation and modification of resumes and setting up online job profiles. Performs initial assessments for enrollment into the placement program. This may include descriptions of cognitive status, social supports, family dynamics, mental health, substance dependency, and other issues and needs. Will prepare clients and attend job interviews with them.

  • Partner with businesses to identify opportunities to place clients for job learning, or paid positions. Work with the client to ensure they are trained for the position. Monitor the clients progress at the company and reassess as needed.

  • Detailed documentation of every interaction with clients, i.e., meetings, calls, missed appointments during the service time, uploading immediately or within 24 hours of occurrence.

  • Follows all company policies and procedures.

  • Teaching interview skills and accompanying clients to interviews to do job analysis, assess client growth and areas of improvement and to partner with businesses.

  • Conduct assessments, paid work experiences and job coaching, providing task analysis, skills assessment, and individual task training on site.

  • Provides ongoing support, counsel, and education to participants and family regarding a variety of issues, including but not limited to how they are doing on the job.

  • Developing job site support and accommodations

  • Advocating for clients and teaching soft skills for workplace success

  • Monthly Reporting

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Learn More2023-05-19T17:38:26+00:00

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

  • High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
  • 5 or more years of relevant experience required; business development, food service, retail, counseling, teaching or customer service.
  • Bachelor’s degree social work, psychology, human resources, preferred.
  • LCSW, preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications

  • Active driver’s license with a means of transportation, full coverage insurance and a clean driving record
  • Must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact. Unvaccinated employees are required to be tested twice per week at his/her own expense.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

  • Methodology that works best with individuals.
  • Current COVID regulations related to working face-to-face with clients.

Skills:

  • Passionate about serving as a bridge between businesses and individuals with disabilities.
  • An expert communicator: You can write, teach, speak, present and document with clarity and cogency.
  • A life-long learner: You have a thirst for knowledge, are a student of life, and can learn from any situation, task, or person.
  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships and collaborate with employees and customers.
  • Detail-oriented and organized.
  • Time management and scheduling clients.

Ability to:

  • Expertly communicate – write, teach, speak, present and document with clarity and conciseness.
  • Listen to understand client concerns and match with appropriate jobs.
  • Look for clients self-limiting beliefs and remove barriers.
  • Be self-motivated and proactive.
  • Work independently and collaborate with others on the team.
  • Communicate effectively with individual clients and company representatives in-person, through email/chat/video, or over the phone.
  • Monitor satisfaction levels of clients and companies where they are working.
  • Seek guidance from other experts on the team, when necessary.
  • Be available to work some weekends on an as-needed, rotational basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

  • In the community
  • On the phone or in virtual meetings
  • On job sites
  • Use of technology
  • Weekend work
  • Evening work
  • Communication

Seldom or Never

  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –

Sometimes or Occasionally

  • –
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –

Frequently or Often

  • X
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • X

Exposures

  • Standing
  • Walking
  • Sitting
  • Driving
  • Lifting
  • Loud noise

Seldom or Never

  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X

Sometimes or Occasionally

  • –
  • –
  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –

Frequently or Often

  • X
  • X
  • –
  • –
  • –
  • –

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Walking, standing, bending, stooping, and squatting is required.
  • Must be able to drive a car to client locations.

Clients’ Testimonials

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

“Theresa and Jay were my assigned job coaches for my employment with Colorado Springs District #11. Both were instrumental in helping me with accomplishing my goals. They were both a pleasure to have as my job coaches, as they were both very patient and accommodating. They were always available to talk to whenever I had any questions that needed answering. If I was unable to reach them, I left messages from them and their response was always prompt. It has been my pleasure and good fortune to have both of them for my job coaches.”

Erika Q.

“I was so apprehensive of needing or wanting a job coach. After one conversation I had with Theresa, I was motivated and literally empowered to be involved with Job Coaching. Within one week, Theresa had me in my dream job excellent use of my skills and tools to my self-confidence soar.”

Tera B.

“I cannot recommend Theresa Garcia and her team more. Theresa has been very patient with me and very professional. I am so grateful for help with my resume and job search.”

Lillian A.

“I really, really enjoy working with Rubi’s, and have liked all the people that helped me. I know how a job as a dishwasher at Cerberus Brewery, where I work very hard, get all the prep-work on the board done and I learn lots more prep-work. My job coach is very nice, and she helped me not only get this job, but learn it. She helped me become the hard worker I am.”

Milton S.

“From the time Theresa shared with me the possibility that my massage therapy business may qualify for a tax credit to get back payroll taxes I had faithfully paid in 2020-2021, it seemed too easy and too good to be true. She sent a link which took me less than 5 minutes to complete. They confirmed which quarters I qualified for and an estimated credit. I couldn’t believe it!

They sent a list of the couple items they needed to proceed and it was so easy to pull the report from my payroll software and upload. A few months later, just as they explained, I received my ERC credit checks in the mail directly from the US Treasury.

I recommend Theresa to all my colleagues who own businesses now, because like me, they probably aren’t using a financial professional that was able to keep up with all the ERC rules in addition to all the other tax code changes. She represents a group of experts that only specialize in this credit so even though it sounds too good to be true, working with her was such a simple and easy process.”

Dawn R., LMT
Founder and CEO
Wholistic Healing Experiences LLC

“Rubi’s Positive Empowerment has provided me with the skills necessary to find a job. I have learned to speak in public, develop a resume, and learned how to act at job interviews. The people who work with them will have a fun experience.”

Kyle R.

“It is amazing. Polite people. They listen. And they don’t let you give up without a fight. They don’t let you talk bad about yourself. They are always positive. They helped me when I needed to talk to someone about my job. They are always there when I need help with my job.”

Britanie K.

Want To Learn More?

Rubi’s Positive Empowerment would love to chat with you! We love coming up with creative ways to help you find your ideal employer and achieve your personal and professional goals!

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© All rights reserved. • Rubi’s Positive Empowerment • Powered by AMI Digital

Want To Learn More?

Rubi’s Positive Empowerment would love to chat with you! We love coming up with creative ways to help you find your ideal employer and achieve your personal and professional goals!

Sign Up to Get Latest Updates

© All rights reserved. • Rubi’s Positive Empowerment • Powered by AMI Digital

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