Riverside’s Regional Employment Collaboratives (RECs) are partnerships of state agencies, employers, workforce development organizations, and service providers working together to expand employment opportunities for people with physical and mental disabilities. Fernando Andino Valdes, Administrative Assistant, is unwavering in his mission to support job seekers with disabilities through this work. Born with Moebius syndrome among other disabilities, he describes his vision as “near-sighted but functional” — a fitting description for someone who has never let it limit his view of what’s possible.
Get to know Fernando as he answers questions about his career path, Riverside’s Employment Collaboratives, and more.
1. You first came to Riverside as an intern with the Greater Boston Employment Collaborative (GBEC) through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Summer Internship Program. What do you remember about that internship, and what made you want to pursue a career with Riverside?
Fernando Andino Valdes: I worked remotely for about two months and attended a few in-person meetings. My supervisor, Rotem Marshall-White, GBEC’s Project Coordinator at the time, was kind and clear about what she needed. She introduced me to Basecamp, our communication platform, and had me search job boards for entry-level work in the GBEC service area, looking for postings within the last 14 days that matched a list of job seeker needs she’d provided. I appreciated having clear goals and pushed myself to improve — Rotem asked for 25 job leads a workday, but with practice, I was able to consistently deliver 50 without sacrificing quality.
Working remotely mattered to me, since traveling is difficult. I wasn’t sure I could manage the in-person meetings, but Rotem was kind enough to drive me herself. Overall, it was a great experience, and I must have shared that with my MCB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor because she would end up encouraging me to apply for a part-time position.
2. You support job developers across multiple Regional Employment Collaboratives. What don’t most people know about how they work?
FAV: I work full-time supporting four Employment Collaboratives: Central Mass (CMEC), Greater Boston (GBEC), the Northeast (NEEC), and the South Coast (SCEC). Most people don’t realize how different each Employment Collaborative is — they share the same mission and standard operating procedures, but size and local resources shape each job developer’s needs differently. GBEC, for instance, benefits from robust public transportation and a high concentration of industry and opportunity as a metropolitan hub, while CMEC and SCEC areas have more limited transportation options and, in SCEC’s case, fewer resources overall given its smaller service area.
3. What do you wish more employers understood about hiring people with disabilities?
FAV: That it’s not just about tax incentives — people with disabilities bring a unique perspective to a team and statistically are more likely to stay with an employer long-term. That makes sense to me: it’s so hard for people with disabilities to land a job that once they find one they like, they hold onto it, unsure how long it might take to find another. I suppose in this labor market that sentiment rings true for a lot of people, but it’s especially true for those facing barriers to employment.
4. Congratulations on your recent award from the Carroll Center for the Blind! Can you share another accomplishment or success story from your time at Riverside that you’re particularly proud of?
FAV: Thank you! Nicole Williams, former Project Coordinator of GBEC, gave me an award at our last in-person meeting with our job developers. She was having a challenging time managing GBEC on her own before I was hired, and when I joined the team, we were able to help GBEC reach new heights together. She wanted a way to recognize my efforts formally, so she created the Heart of the Collaborative Award and presented it to me at that meeting. It was very kind, and I am still very proud of what we achieved.
5. You’ve said that having a meaningful job improved your mental health and quality of life. How does that shape the way you approach your work supporting other job seekers with disabilities?
FAV: My personal lived experience motivates me to go the extra mile for our job developers and job seekers, because I know the impact is life-changing. Even if it means working off the clock, doing additional research, or scrolling through job leads trying to find a good match, it’s worth it to me if someone benefits from it.
6. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
FAV: Working with my team at Riverside’s Employment Collaboratives really is a dream come true. I’m grateful to work for a company that is genuinely committed to innovation and inclusion, and that continues to lead by example and advocate for people with disabilities.
Explore Riverside’s Employment Collaboratives today
