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Who Is Involved "Building Inclusive Communities in Seattle" Judy, Melanie, and the Phinney Neighborhood Association: Gaining Confidence Together 
Judy was getting really bored with her job sorting nuts and bolts for an aerospace company. The agency she worked for employed only people with developmental disabilities. Often there was nothing for her to do. Judy was ready for a change. Judy was shy and her mother wanted Judy to have experiences that would build her confidence and allow her to meet new people. Judy's mother learned about Melanie, a Community Guide at the University of Washington who is paid to help adults with disabilities pursue their goals. Judy's mother invited Melanie to their house to talk about Judy's interest in doing office work somewhere in the neighborhood. As a Phinney resident, Melanie knew about the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA). She knew that neighbors came to the PNA to take a myriad of classes, check out tools from the tool bank, look at art exhibits, and drop their children off at the daycare center. Melanie approached Chardell, the volunteer coordinator at the PNA. She told Chardell about Judy and her interest in volunteering. Melanie described what kind of help Judy would need and offered to help the PNA structure a volunteer job for Judy, on the premise that in time Judy would no longer need her assistance. Melanie assured Chardell that she would be available to Judy and the PNA as long as she was needed. The PNA had been looking for opportunities to expand their pool of volunteers to reflect the diversity in Phinney Ridge. Chardell and her co-worker Mary Lee welcomed Judy into their pool of volunteers. 
With its various activities and large membership, the PNA has a wide range of things for volunteers to do, including many tasks that don't require reading. Melanie helped Chardell and Mary Lee find things to do that Judy would be good at. Judy was able to assemble community information. She stamped flyers to notify members to renew their membership. She folded announcements and letters, and stuffed and stamped the envelopes. After a few months Chardell and Mary Lee knew Judy well enough to figure out for themselves what else Judy would be good at doing. 
Judy learned to ride the bus to the Phinney Neighborhood Association in stages. At first she was so shy, she wouldn't even pull the stop cord when Melanie told her it was time. After a while Judy started not only to pull the cord but she also went out of her way to sit in a seat on her own, apart from Melanie. Judy began to recognize landmarks indicating when to pull the cord and get off. After Judy seemed to have learned the stops, Melanie followed the bus in her car, unknown to Judy, to make sure Judy got off at the right stop. Sometimes Judy didn't get off at the right bus stop because she decided to keep riding the bus. Melanie or Judy's mother would call Metro Transit, Metro would call the driver, and the driver would tell them where Judy was. Judy enjoyed the added adventure. She was always proud of being able to ride the bus on her own. And Judy's mother, even if she didn't enjoy the "adventure" quite so much, was willing to live with it for the sake of Judy gaining more confidence and independence. 
As Judy became more comfortable with Chardell and Mary Lee, Melanie gave less support to the PNA. To make more room for Chardell and Judy to interact with each other, Melanie started to arrive at the PNA later then Judy or go to a different part of the office. In time, Melanie came less often and didn't stay as long. Chardell and Mary Lee got to know Judy's mom and talked to her instead of Melanie about how the bus trips were going and about Judy's volunteer schedule. 
On the first day of Judy's volunteer job at the PNA she was so shy she almost wouldn't go into the office. When she did go in she wouldn't speak to or look at anyone. Now Judy comes by herself, smiles and waves at people in the office, and talks about what's going on in her life. Her co- workers have learned that she can be mischievous and, when necessary, quietly but firmly assertive. The people at the PNA feel that Judy, with her smile and warm heart, has enriched their lives and hope she feels the same about them. 
After two years, Judy still volunteers once a week at the PNA. She wouldn't miss it. With the confidence gained by volunteering at the PNA, Judy landed a job at The Gap. But even with full-time work, she finds time to volunteer at this neighborhood place.
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