West Central Community Center: Tell us your West Central CC story. 
Sandi Beckley: I must have found out about this place through Craigslist. I inquired about a position as an employment specialist and got an interview the next day. It was a wonderful interview, I got the job that day and boy, did I need it. Eventually, the manager I would replace got very sick and could no longer do the work that he needed to do. He knew I was a better fit for the job so opened it up for me to try. I had just finished my Bachelor degree at WSU, it was all just perfect timing. I also have two developmentally disabled children that helped equip me for the job.
WCCC: Did you always have a passion for the DD population?
SB: No, probably not until my kids got into school, and I started advocating integration. My first job was in MT employment services, which was my first contact with adults with disabilities. Taking what I knew from my kids, I tried applying that to those clients. I attended conferences for my kids and learned so much, probably where I learned most of my stuff actually.
WCCC: What has been a defining moment for you in this field?
SB: The day that our director, Kim, and our administrative service manager, Stephanie, asked me to be the program manager. They had complete confidence in me, which in turn gave me the confidence I needed to have, to be able to do this job. I knew that this work was what I was supposed to be doing.
WCCC: Can you share a fun story of an experience you have had?
SB: Of course! I can only pick one? At River Park Square Mall, when Seattle won the Super Bowl, four of our staff had taken our clients up to the food court. We would shout down to the people on the first floor, and they would reciprocate. We would say “SEA!” and they would reply with “HAWKS!” One of our clients would yell for both sides even when no one was yelling. Another client was dancing and chanting “Seahawks! Seahawks!” over and over. It was so neat to celebrate the big win with our clients!
WCCC: What is your biggest pet peeve?
SB: Clothes on the bathroom floor. Irritates me more than anything. While growing up, my mom said I was infatuated with bathrooms! No matter where we went, public or residential, I had to look at the bathroom. Visiting a home I would ask, “Is this the only bathroom?” Maybe this is where my pet peeve stems from.
WCCC: If you could throw any kind of party what would that be?
SB: A 1950’s retro cocktail party. Men would smoke in the room, drink their drinks and congregate around the radio. The women would be in the kitchen making hors d’oeuvres while gossiping about the new mattress that the Smith’s bought. Everyone would be in retro, plaid flappers.
WCCC: Do you have a favorite quote?
SB: “I hate quitters, especially when they don’t finish what they start,” by John Wayne in Red River.
WCCC: If you weren’t doing what you are doing now, what would you be doing?
SB: Gardening. I would be a professional gardener. I would love to open my own green house. The smell, when you take a deep breath in a green house; I love it.
WCCC: What is something about you that not a lot of people know?
SB: I have a lot of fears. It is terrible. Growing up I was afraid of everything! I stuttered as a child, now I stutter when I am excited!!