Meet Christina! Christina is an outgoing, enthusiastic resident of Salem, living at Walnut Home for the last 11 years. Her vibrant personality has even helped Salem as she has co-hosted the last two “Wonderfully Made” Showcases. She loves that her home is the party home. She is a girly girl and loves to have her nails and hair done! Also a travel enthusiast, Christina has been to many places. Let’s take a look at where she works!
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‍Cindy Behnke:  I know you’ve had a few different jobs but have most recently landed at Divine Day program. Tell me about Divine! ‍
Christina R.: Other programs just put me to work, they didn’t ask me my goals. They listen to me at Divine, they make it happen. I am the happiest person at work! I go back to Walnut home and tell everyone what we did and what fun we’ve had. That’s what I like about my program – finishing what you need to finish, meet my goals. Without Divine, I would have been crazy. I couldn’t ask for a better program. Lorena was a beautiful redheaded baby, but in the first three minutes following her birth she came into the world not breathing. Although three minutes is not a long time, her mother Isabel eventually concluded that it may have been the root of the developmental disabilities she would later discover. In the months that followed, around 8 months of age, Isabel began to realize Lorena was displaying signs of a developmental disability – including that she was not tracking with her eyes and not reaching for things.

CB: That’s amazing! What goals have they helped you set?
CR: They really want us to work on our goals. My first one was, get my passport. 2. Learning to save money. Never know what’s going to happen. I need to be prepared.
CB: Why do you need a passport?
CR: To go on a Bahama Disney Cruise!
CB: So much fun. That’s amazing you’ve already accomplished one of your goals! Where is Divine? How many people work at Divine?
CR: Divine Day program is on Riverside and Ramona in Chino. Only 30-40 people. Some clean pools, some work in the chocolate factory or candle store.  
CB: Tell me about the barber shop you work at!
CR: I have been working there since January 2024.  It’s called Fourth Barber.  
CB: I know you’ve jumped around a lot before landing at Divine and Fourth Barber. What makes you want to stay at this job?
CR: My boss, Mario, he is so understanding, very patient. I get along with all my peers! I try to respect them as they respect me. We can ask each other questions. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I got all my hair cut off. They said it would fit my face so good! It’s just how I wanted it. Frames my face so good!
CB: It really makes it better when you love who you work with. What about your duties?
CR: I love my duties; I don’t even complain about it! I love to mop, sweep, and wash the towels. Cleaning someone’s business, you want it do well. So people want to come. It’s just like our homes. You want to make people feel comfortable in your home. I do some extra steps too. I clean the mirrors and the windows too.
CB: How often do you work?
CR: I have 3 shifts a week. I’m going to be honest with you, two-hour shifts is what works for me. I have tried other shifts at other places, and I would get too overwhelmed and could get an attitude then.  I like the two-hour shift better. Plus, I get to come back to day program then.
CB: That’s great you recognized your strengths and limitations. We all have them. How do the staff help you prepare for Fourth Barber?
CR: I have a different mentors that work with me. One Divine mentor comes with me to the barber shop for my shift. Makes sure I stay on task. I go to my mentor staff first if I have a question or need help, then I go to my boss Mario. I like to bring little treats for them at work!
CB: Do you feel like you are paid well for your work?
CR: Oh yes! I like the extra income. I can be healthy with my goals. Got my passport. Sally and I are going on a Disney cruise in the spring! I got a scholarship to help pay for it, then I pay a little each month. Thanks to Irma (her Salem home manager). She keeps me on task to help save.
CB: What do you do when you’re not at your shift at Fourth Barber?
CR: If no training classes, we go into the community for shopping, eating. Or just we hang out. We play games, we talk. We do activities, work on our goals. Work is more than work,  we get to have fun too. On Friday, we had a Halloween party at the park, just walking distance from us. We had treats, enjoyed being outside. Then, this Friday we are having a winter formal at Divine. I got a cute jumpsuit with little heels to go with it! I got off Shein!  

CB: A winter formal?? That’s so much fun. Is it at Divine?  
CR: Yes! But they coordinated for us to meet at Ontario Mills and we are going to take a limo to Divine for the winter formal.
CB: Tell me, Courtney (Christina’s manager at work), what do you have to say about Christina and her work ethic?
Courtney: Christina has come a long, long way! She does so well. She always wants to be on time to Fourth Barber. I have no complaints about Christina. She always goes above and beyond at her position. She asked Mario to get her supplies she needed to be able to clean better. She advocates for herself and is a hard worker.
CR: Irma helps me with my finances. I have had some hard times but Courtney has helped me learn how to say things in front of peers. Come be a part of Salem. Guess what I did today.. don’t want to brag.
CB: Tell me about when you go back to Walnut Home after work.  
CR: I love my Walnut home, 12 years next year. I have a van system that pics me up Monday – Friday. I usually get back to Walnut Home around 3 or 4 pm. Walnut Home is just the best. We love to have everyone over for themed party nights. Just had the Dodgers party. We do karaoke. Courtney has helped me learn not to brag about Salem to my peers at work. Because I’m always like, guess what we did yesterday or this weekend. I just want everyone to come be a part of Salem!  
CB: What’s your favorite thing about Walnut Home?
CR: I have my own space! Thanks to Walnut, I couldn’t ask for a better home. They are my second family. I have my mom and my three sisters and brother. My mom and my sister are hopefully going to come to Walnut Home next week because we are having a Thanksgiving at Walnut where our family can come.  
CB: How special your home is going to host the residents’ families! What do you do to help get the home ready for Thanksgiving?
CR: I like to help in my kitchen. Cinnamon honey cornbread. I’m very good in the kitchen. I learned from mama.  
CB: Sounds like you are busy-busy, Christina. So blessed to have you at Salem and seeing you thrive also at your work! Any closing thoughts about your work?
CR: I recommend Divine to anybody looking for a day program. I’m really, really serious. It’s one of the best! They really have helped me a lot. I don’t take it for granted. And I’m still going forward strong!