Samantha Bailey – Instructor Ben Holt Program
Samantha Bailey’s introduction to UCP began as a teenager in the Ben Holt program where she volunteered with her mother who worked there at that time. As a volunteer, Samantha assisted with feeding clients, teaching lessons and taking clients on walking trips in the community. In 2010, Samantha was hired as an Instructional Assistant in the same program.
While working for UCP, she earned a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant. In 2015, she took on additional work in the SAIL and Respite departments. In 2016, she was promoted to the Instructor position in the Ben Holt program. As an Instructor, Samantha is responsible for planning client’s community outings and work activities. Through her tenure at UCP, Samantha has developed greater compassion. She has learned how to find creative ways for clients to accomplish a task rather than focusing on the limitations of their disabilities.
Samantha’s artistic skills acquired at the Academy of Art University contribute greatly to her latest project – designing a sensory room. The clients selected ocean scenery for the theme so Samantha is busy painting life under water. The murals are also textured to replicate coral and shark skins. Once Samantha has completed the sensory our clients will be able to run their hands along with walls and experience life under the sea. The color blue, which is known for its calming effect, encompasses the majority of the room to assist when an individual needs time to decompress. The mural will also provide visual stimulation.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys drawing and reading science fiction and fantasy books. She says, “Could read the same book a hundred times and get different meanings from it.” She also enjoys music and the emotions that it evokes.
As a member of the Ports City Roller Girls roller derby team, Samantha is known as “Yosemite Sam.” She loves the camaraderie with her teammates and she finds the endurance drills challenging.
Samantha would love to go sky diving and wing-suit flying, travel to Finland, take dog sleds to see the Northern Lights, and visit Alaska to watch the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Her career goal is to become a Program Manager at UCP.