At Matsuda’s Nursery in Sacramento, the sun is hot, the work is physical, and the environment is ever-changing. But for Employment Coach Retascha Harrison, who provides supported employment for people with disabilities at the nursery, it is also a place of transformation for the Matsuda’s-based PRIDE Industries employees she supports and for herself.
A Champion for Supported Employment for People with Disabilities
As an Employment Coach, Retascha Harrison plays a vital role in delivering supported employment for people with disabilities, offering encouragement, guidance, and inspiration to those she serves.
“We help them overcome some challenges that they may have,” she explained. “Like any employee, there are days when your attention needs to be refocused, or you need some extra guidance.”
For Retascha, support is about more than job performance. “It’s about taking them out of that funk and reminding them that having this job is helping you create an income for yourself, helping you be more independent, and be able to work within the community and achieve some of those goals that you plan out for your life,” she said.
When asked to describe her approach to job coaching, Retascha talked about the importance of empathy and flexibility.
“Every day doesn’t have to be a good day,” she said. “Everyone has days when they get up on the wrong side of the bed. But what I can do is help them get themselves together…and when they are ready, come over and enjoy the rest of the day with the group.”
And if someone is having a tough day? “Let’s take it out on the weeds,” she said with a smile.
Growth That Goes Both Ways
Retascha’s work is deeply personal and transformative, and Retascha has often shared how much she learns from the individuals she supports. “There are things I probably wouldn’t have done prior to working here. Things that involve dirt and bugs” she said with a laugh. “But these employees have showed me, there isn’t anything to be afraid of.”
Employees like Ashley Wolf, one of the longest-serving PRIDE Industries employees on the Matsuda’s-based work crew.
“She is fearless,” Retascha said. “We have sections in the nursery where there’s lavender. Bees come to lavender a lot. You’ll start to hear a buzzing that can be loud and intimidating, but Ashley will walk through them fearlessly. It’s made me become braver and want to challenge myself more.”
Another PRIDE Industries employee working at Matsuda’s, Dexter Reed, reminds Retascha of the power of purpose. “He knows that coming to work every day creates an income to be able to do what he wants to do in life, which is to take care of not only himself, but his dog, the thing that makes his world go around.”
Retascha’s work as an employment coach helps make career stability and growth possible for her work group. That is something her crew does not take for granted. Sean Elliot, another member of the Matsuda’s-based work crew, expressed the sentiment of many of the PRIDE Industries employees there when he said, “This job has been a game changer for me, and also for my family. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have this job.”
A Team Effort, Recognized and Respected
The impact of employment coaches like Retascha is central to the success of supported employment for people with disabilities and is felt across Matsuda’s nursery.
“The coaches make the crew what they are,” said Irene Ramirez, Operations Manager at Matsuda’s. “They’re on time, they know what’s needed, they jump in. If something needs doing, they don’t wait, they take care of it. They’ve been doing an amazing job.”
Maricruz Guevara works for Matsuda’s in human resources, also appreciates the coaches. “They are amazing. If we have any issues, we can always reach out to them. They are always great about communicating between us and the PRIDE Industries team.”
Suppported Employment for People with Disabilites Changes Lives
For Retascha, the most rewarding part of her job is witnessing how people change and grow when they have meaningful employment.
“It’s really special to see somebody go from a place of not knowing a lot of things, and then you turn around and they’re a whole different person,” she said. “Just within a year, or even a month, you start to see the little steps they take toward reaching their goals. And it makes me proud to say I was a part of that.”
The employees she supports feel that impact every day.
“My coach is fun,” said Ashley. “She’s really funny and she helps me out lots.”
Sean agreed, saying, “The coaches are excellent at not only giving instructions, but most of all giving great advice. They’re also very understanding and have a great sense of humor. I must say that it’s helpful having them here, and it’s always fun.”
Being part of supported employment for people with disabilities is more than a job; it’s a calling that has shaped Retascha both professionally and personally.
“I don’t just come to work to pull weeds and take care of plants,” Retascha said. “There’s more to it than that. And that makes me feel good about what I’m doing. I take these tools that I’m learning out here and put them into my personal life… and I’m able to be a better person every day because of that.”