Randy

Randy has worked at Futures Explored for eight years. Futures Explored provides services to adult clients of Alta California Regional Center in programs like employment, education, wellness, and media. His career started in filmmaking as a writer and director. He continues to make films with his own business and uses his skills to teach people with developmental and intellectual disabilities about the filmmaking process.

As a Direct Support Professional, Randy is pivotal to the development and growth of clients interested in the media industry. His role requires him to adapt to the many different learning and processing styles program participants have. Randy enjoys helping people and finding the best way to teach individuals about media.

In his role as Coordinator of Production Company and Events Rentals, Randy does more than teach clients about filmmaking. He also provides pivotal classes that can assist in a participant’s ability to get work in filmmaking. One class he teaches is about driving, where he educates students about how to drive, the DMV, and prepares them to take their licensing exam. Randy knows that the filmmaking industry requires a lot of changing environments and helping clients access another level of independence by learning how to drive can assist them in achieving their career goals. Randy will also give working opportunities for program participants to act, write, and film media that Randy’s company produces. Randy believes reducing the stigma around people with disabilities in the working environment starts with providing them the opportunities to work, especially in areas they are passionate about.

Randy knows the power of repetition is important when taking in new information. So, he trains program participants through consistency and repetition until they grasp the information and take on a new topic. This method of teaching has shown immense results. One student submitted a script to the A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival and was chosen to share his film and address the audience about his work. Without Randy building this student’s confidence and direct support, achievements like this may have felt unachievable.

Filmmaking in general is something Randy is immensely passionate about. He enjoys telling stories, and filmmaking is his vessel to share. Being able to share and teach individuals who are also interested in media continues to fuel Randy’s passion.

Without amazing individuals like Randy providing direct support, Alta California Regional Center wouldn’t be the same!