Robin Cosley-Dorsey began her journey with Resources for Independence in 2014 when she contacted our CIL inquiring about resources for her son, Bradley. Bradley is a young gentleman with cerebral palsy requiring 24 hour nursing services. He lives with his mom in Hagerstown, who not only advocates for him but all people living with disabilities. Robin initially received information from our CIL staff about the assistive technology/independent living program but didn’t stop there!! She made her way around our CIL talking to each staff member and learning about all of the programs that we offer. In 2015 with the Money Follows the Person program we advertised for a Peer Transition Specialist and Robin was hired for Washington County. Again, Robin, immediately embraced the mission of RFI and her new position advocating for people to understand their choice of living in the community rather than an institution. Since then Robin went from a part time staff member to a full time employee advancing her knowledge and having several job titles. She goes above and beyond seeking out new resources, providing leadership to partner agencies regarding disability rights, she participates in tons of community events and is well respected and appreciated within Western Maryland. The most beautiful characteristic about Robin is her ability to model what a true advocate looks like and at the same time empower people to advocate for themselves. She builds people up and celebrates accomplishments and offers encouragement during defeat but always, always continues to advocate!!
COMMENTS FROM ROBIN’S CO-WORKERS
- Robin and I participated in the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council Fair yesterday. While sitting at our table, a visitor came over to us to express her appreciation for Robin and how she advocates for others. Additionally, the visitor shared, that Robin is caring and kindhearted; this expression of appreciation almost had Robin in tears and me too.
- Robin IS one of the most genuine individuals I have ever worked with, and I always feel confident referring a consumer off to her for ancillary services beyond my scope of competence or duties. I know she will take up the case and work for that consumer tirelessly with great empathy.
COMMENTS FROM CONSUMERS
- I just want to let you know that we have the pleasure to meet with Robin on a regular basis. She is working hard trying to help us in many ways. She’s fantastic, polite, sweet and looks like she really likes her job. We are very happy with her.
- Thank you for helping us, Robin, you do make the big difference in our lives, specially when we really need help 🙏
- Resources for Independence is a one-stop, does it all, organization that truly cares about the people they set out to help. For me, it was housing that was wreaking havoc upon my life as a new resident to Hagerstown, Maryland from New York. However, from the moment I spoke to Mrs. Michelle Holliday, who in turn assigned to me to Mrs. Robin Dorsey, little did I know that God would be using this facility and its workers to get me placed into an apartment here at a beautiful, rent subsidized, private property complex.
- Dorsey is a wonderful advocate for disabled people, like me. She stuck with me every step of the way and she interceded on my behalf with my old landlord whenever problems arose or we didn’t see eye to eye, she assisted in making sure my housing applications got sent out, she worked on my application for Section 8 and I could go on and on but you get the picture. There was not ONE time when I called her did she make me feel like I was a nuisance. Her dedication to her job is stellar in this day and age, as well as a reflection upon the agency that she works for.