Courtney Vargas

I attribute my success to staying aligned with who I am and what feels meaningful, even when that has required making difficult pivots in my career. After earning my degree in Business Finance, I pursued bookkeeping, but I quickly realized it wasn’t aligned with who I am. That experience taught me the importance of choosing work that is fulfilling and allows me to truly help others.

I later worked as a behavioral aide supporting children with autism, which was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. Although I had to leave due to it being part-time and not financially sustainable, that experience deeply shaped my passion for helping others and guided me toward Independent Living Services.

I absolutely love the work I do now. Being able to support individuals with disabilities in learning essential life skills, navigating systems like Social Security, and working toward independence is incredibly meaningful to me. I enjoy helping people build confidence and develop the tools they need to live as independently as possible.

I also attribute my success to perseverance and compassion. My diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy type 3 as an adult has strengthened my empathy and deepened my commitment to this work. These experiences have shaped not only who I am, but also the foundation of Empower Independent Living Services.

One of the most impactful things I’ve learned throughout my career is to stay true to who I am and pursue work that feels meaningful, even when it requires making difficult decisions. I’ve been encouraged by professionals in the disability services field to focus on growth, not just stability, and to trust that the right path will align over time.

The individuals I serve have also been a constant source of inspiration and guidance. Their resilience, determination, and progress remind me daily why this work matters and continue to shape how I approach my role. Their impact has been just as influential as any formal advice I’ve received.

I would encourage young women to follow work that aligns with their purpose, trust their instincts, and not be afraid to pivot when something doesn’t feel right. It’s important to choose a path that feels meaningful and allows you to grow, rather than staying in something that doesn’t align with who you are.

In this field, compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to help others go a long way. At the same time, setting boundaries, valuing your time, and advocating for yourself are just as important. Your work should be fulfilling, sustainable, and true to your values.

Most importantly, trust that your path doesn’t have to look perfect or linear. Growth often comes from the experiences that challenge you the most.

One of the biggest challenges I see in this field is the gap in available resources within the community. There are many individuals who need support with essential needs, such as covering co-pays for medications, but often cannot afford them. Additionally, there is limited access to organized community-based activities and supports that promote inclusion and engagement. While some organizations are willing to donate resources to nonprofits, there is still a need for stronger connections between these resources and the individuals who need them most.

In the future, I would love to expand into creating a nonprofit that can work alongside Empower Independent Living Services to help bridge these gaps and provide more comprehensive support.

Another challenge is the amount of time it takes to get established in this field. For example, the process of becoming vendored through the Regional Center can be lengthy—I personally waited about a year before I was able to begin serving clients. However, this process also presents an opportunity to build a strong foundation and ensure services are delivered with quality and care.

Despite these challenges, I see significant opportunity for growth. I have recently expanded my services by hiring my first employee and am continuing to grow thoughtfully, with a focus on maintaining high-quality, person-centered care while increasing the number of individuals I can serve.

The most important values to me are compassion, purpose, and helping others live empowered, independent lives. When I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 3 as an adult, I began searching for work that felt more meaningful—something where I could truly make a difference in people’s lives. That experience became the driving force behind everything I do.

When I was first diagnosed, I felt very alone, as though no one else understood what I was going through. That feeling inspired me to start a YouTube channel focused on fitness for muscle disease, with the hope that even helping one person would make a difference. Since then, I’ve connected with many individuals who have shared similar experiences, and I’ve been able to help bring people together through online communities such as Facebook groups. That sense of connection is incredibly meaningful to me.

I also deeply value dignity, respect, and independence for the individuals I serve. It is important to me that everyone is treated with compassion and respect, and that they are supported in a way that honors their individuality and autonomy. Through my work, I love helping people develop the skills and confidence to become the best versions of themselves and work toward living as independently as possible.

Service is at the center of everything I do—whether through my work with clients, my plans to volunteer with a social therapy dog, or my long-term goal of creating a nonprofit to help fill gaps in community resources. My purpose is rooted in making a positive impact and ensuring that others feel supported, seen, and valued.