Individuals with disabilities are often overlooked and underestimated when it comes to employment opportunities and their potential. According to the World Bank, 61 million adults have a disability in the United States, which is more than 18% of our population. This is a key demographic that employers may choose to pass over because of misconceptions such as their inability to work, lack of productivity, or the belief that disabled people will not fit in.
Fortunately, Carlos Cienfuegos, the founder of San Francisco-based Sentry Living Solutions, is shattering these stereotypes. Cienfuegos has taken on the challenge of raising awareness and support for those often overlooked regarding employment opportunities. Through their innovative “Supported Employment Program,” Sentry Living Solutions empowers disabled individuals, including youth with disabilities, to find and maintain jobs in an integrated employment setting.
Driven by a heart for helping others and inspired by his background in psychology, Cienfuegos set out on a mission to make a difference. Early in his career, he recognized the potential of disabled individuals when given the right tools, support and care. He merged his desire to have his own business with his passion for making a positive impact and founded Sentry Living Solutions.
“Since day one, I fell in love with disabled people’s honesty. If you sing, they will ask you to please stop singing,” Cienfuegos laughs. “This job hasn’t always been easy, but it’s never felt like work.”
Sentry Living Solutions offers various programs to cater to the diverse needs of their clients. Among these, their Supported Employment Program stands out, providing activities and services needed to support and maintain individuals with significant disabilities in integrated employment settings. This program plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between individuals with disabilities and employment opportunities, aiming to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
One critical aspect of the Supported Employment Program is the provision of job coaches. These job coaches work tirelessly to help individuals with disabilities learn and excel in their jobs, offering ongoing support to ensure success in the workplace. This personalized approach empowers individuals to achieve their full potential, overcoming the challenges they might face due to their disabilities.
“They can achieve a lot of things,” Cienfuegos explains. “And you can empower them to achieve things if you work with clients just like you would any other person.”
Beyond the Supported Employment Program, Sentry Living Solutions also offers Independent Living Services (ILS) and Supported Living Services (SLS). The ILS program focuses on teaching life skills and fostering independence, while the SLS program provides 24/7 care to those requiring extra daily living support.
Cienfuegos highlights the challenges his organization faces when categorizing its services. Some consider Sentry Living Solutions to fall under the healthcare category, while others believe it should be classified as educational services.
“I believe we should be classified as human services,” Cienfuegos says. “We don’t focus on treating people’s problems in the traditional sense like healthcare does for preventive health. At the same time, we’re not solely mental health services either.”
Cienfuegos stresses the importance of providing the proper context and avoiding generalizations, as individuals with disabilities, like those with autism and Down syndrome, face unique challenges — especially when attaining a job. The high unemployment rate among disabled adults highlights the need to adapt job opportunities to fit their abilities.
“I have clients that are non-verbal and autistic,” he explains. It’s not that they’re lazy. They can’t just get a job. It’s a unique space we operate in, requiring careful consideration of our classification.”
As Sentry Living Solutions continues to expand its services and support adults with developmental disabilities, Carlos Cienfuegos remains passionate about providing opportunities and breaking down barriers. His dedication to his clients and his vision for an inclusive and compassionate society shine through in the work of Sentry Living Solutions, creating a brighter future for those who have often been overlooked or underestimated in the job market.
