Mike Strong developed a love of wood from his father who was a carpenter. Strong’s father would let him handle wood scraps from his workbench and Strong would glue them together. Strong, 54, is blind. His ability to verbalize is limited. He receives support from Total Living Concept (TLC) – a Kent-based nonprofit that provides support for people living with disabilities.

A TLC staff member, Keri Parker, discovered “The Wood Shop” in Maple Valley through a newspaper story portraying it as a very welcoming place. Robert Ahearn, a job coach at TLC, was tapped to provide transportation. Strong was welcomed into the group and now regularly attends The Wood Shop’s Saturday morning gatherings of retired woodcarvers. At the weekly gathering, group members work on small projects and talk about their shared passion: wood.

“Mike likes to create something we call a ‘block/light switch’,” Ahearn said. “We take a block of wood and we stick a light bulb on with putty. We add a switch so that he can feel and hear the click of turning it ‘on and off’. I learned that Mike’s favorite specialty wood is Alaska Yellow Cedar. If you dip it in water periodically it becomes very aromatic. Just by spending time with Mike, I too have developed an interest in wood.”

With Ahearn’s help, Strong is becoming more confident and more comfortable, which has not always been the case.

Because of Strong’s love of the scent of wood, the Maple Valley woodworkers’ group suggested Ahearn take Strong to a specialty wood shop in Sumner – the Woodworker Store. Surprisingly, the store owner recognized Strong and greeted him by name. Unbeknownst to Ahearn, when alive, Strong’s dad used to take him to the store. Strong felt right at home.

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Ahearn accompanies Strong to his job at the Total Living Concept office where Strong works shredding paper. Later, Ahearn transports Strong to a volunteer job at Kent Covenant Church – dusting pews; a job that ties-in with Strong’s love of wood. Strong finds it rewarding.

“When I began working with Mike, I needed to clarify his job situation. He was dissatisfied with his paper shredding job and needed tasks that would be challenging and empowering,” Ahearn said. “The shredding job provides some limited income so Mike continues at it, but he needed more. That’s when TLC started a relationship with Kent Covenant Church.” The sanctuary at Kent has 38 wooden pews in three sections. Ahearn helped Strong learn how to dust the wooden pews. Ahearn hopes this new job skill turns into a money-making enterprise for Strong should he decide to dust pews at other area churches on a weekly basis.

For the past seven months, under Ahearn’s guidance, Strong has learned how to express his emotions and work efficiently. Ahearn, who is 46, helps people living with developmental disabilities develop skills and techniques to conquer their uncertainties and to realize their potential. For Ahearn, job coaching is more than just a transfer of skills and techniques, it’s about engaging interests and passions. He considers Strong a friend.

In 2002, Strong began receiving support from Total Living Concept. TLC employees helped him build competence in a wide array of general living activities and assisted him with personal care, cooking and cleaning. In a typical week, Strong swims and exercises at the local pool, shops at the local thrift stores, goes to the library where he enjoys being read to, and is a regular at his neighborhood Starbucks. TLC arranged for a live-in housemate so that Strong can live independently yet have the safety net he needs should an emergency arise during the nighttime hours. Strong travels by public transportation and private car. In 2006, with his family’s assistance, Strong purchased his own condominium in the Renton Highlands.

Before he came to Total Living Concept, Strong lived with frustration due in large part to being required to engage in work tasks he did not find rewarding or even tolerable. When he was upset Strong would verbalize loudly and repeatedly. Today, Strong is changed. He has less frequent outbursts and is learning how to greet people that he meets by name.

“Once in a while Mike will get mad, but now it’s for good reasons,” Ahearn said. “He has so much potential. He’s got a heart. There’s a lot to this guy that’s still in there that needs to come out. We are seeking more churches that will invite Mike to dust their pews and we are on the lookout for other woodworking groups who would welcome Mike. Every opportunity to be involved in the community allows Mike to grow and gain confidence.”

• About TLC

Total Living Concept became a Washington not-for-profit organization on July 26, 1982. In the beginning, TLC only operated group homes, which provided congregated living options for people with developmental disabilities. Through the process of constant self-evaluation and listening to the people being supported, TLC gradually moved away from congregated housing options to providing individualized support enabling each person to live in their own home. The state refers to this as supported living. Many people receiving support services from TLC share their homes with housemates who do not receive services from TLC, but rather are members of our general community. TLC is very proud to support people to live where they want, with whom they want, for as long as they want, according to their own personal lifestyle choices.