At Quest Village, the mission is simple: help individuals with developmental disabilities live as independently as possible. As a community support coach, Jakira Gammons helps residents develop the daily skills and confidence to make that mission a reality.

Meeting People Where They Are

Jakira began her career as a behavior specialist assistant in Orange County Public Schools, supporting exceptional student education classrooms from kindergarten through fifth grade. This early experience shaped the foundation of her belief in a supportive, individualized approach to care.

“We have to meet people where they are so we can serve them better. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘if they can’t learn the way we teach, we need to teach the way they learn,’” Jakira says.

She carried that philosophy over into a group home setting, where she served as a direct support professional and later as a supervisor. After seven years, she accepted a new role in independent homes, supporting individuals directly in their family environments. When one of her clients later transitioned to supported living, she continued providing companion services. That’s how she discovered and began working with Quest’s residential programs.

A Coaching Approach Built on Embracing Uniqueness

When an additional support coach position opened at Quest Village, director Shawna Wallace knew Jakira would be the perfect fit.

“A coach requires someone who can connect with everyone — not just residents, but their families and providers. Jakira is compassionate, organized and patient,” says Shawna Wallace, Quest’s Director of Independent Living. “She had never coached before, but she jumped into the role with both feet and is a natural.”

Jakira finds joy in assisting residents with everything from job searches and appointment scheduling to grocery shopping and social outings. Each experience supports community integration, helping residents see that their uniqueness doesn’t define their limits. Jakira’s favorite moments are the small breakthroughs that reveal growing confidence.

One recent example involved helping a new resident explore career paths. Together, they identified her interests, connected her with a community organization for support and helped her practice expressing her goals with confidence. Today, that resident is employed in a role that she is passionate about.

“I love seeing people grow,” Jakira says. “Even small steps matter. When someone learns something new or handles something on their own, it feels good to know I helped support them.”

Quest Village is built on community, independence and belonging, and staff like Jakira make that possible every day. Learn more about Quest Village here. If you are interested in a career helping individuals experience a full life, explore opportunities to join our team at Quest, Inc.