Cindy Hensley (She/Her)
Inspired, Passionate, Grateful,
Blessed, Awed, Uplifted, Joyful, and Filled with Love…This is how I feel when I
walk into 'work!' It’s the same way I felt in 1999 when Vicki & I followed
a 'nudge' to open an Agency where people come together to learn, laugh, create,
grow, and have FUN together. Friendships were born, and today they continue to
grow and flourish.
I am continually learning from
the people we get to provide services for. Their unconditional love for life
and each other inspires me to be a better teacher, leader, and human being. Add
to that the most talented, dedicated, unique, humble, and passionate Direct
Support Professionals and Administrative Team…and you’ve just created the
Perfect Brew. Drink it in daily and it will promise to heal all that
ails!
As for me, I love yoga, walking in nature, playing with our dog Max, and spending time with my family. I’m blessed with two beautiful homes in the most amazing places on earth, Alaska, and Hawaii. I share my life with my wife Pat, who supports and inspires me to follow my passions daily. I’m a Spiritual Practitioner with the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living and the Prayer Chaplain Director at Unity Church of Hawaii. I begin each day with prayer and meditation as it helps keep me present to the Presence of my Higher Power and PRESENT in the Now moment throughout my workday.
I’m grateful for the amazing Life I get to live, the people who support and love me, and for ALL people who shine their Love Light out into the world and make it a better place to live! Peace & Love to us all!
I’ve been very fortunate to be part owner of a company that provides various services for people with different abilities while offering gratifying employment opportunities for people that support them in Alaska.
My position has many diverse duties. Most of my responsibilities are financial management for Cindy and Vic’s. I miss the direct care I used to do years ago.
When we first opened in 1999 Cindy and I were kept busy with a variety of fun activities and it continues today with our wonderful staff. Thankfully I do see our participants and residents at gatherings and parties in our homes and at the office.
I have lived in Anchorage for over 50 years and I love this beautiful place! Outside of the office, I enjoy going outdoors for walks, playing tennis, pickleball and golf with my husband, Karl.
I trust that the direction I have taken for over 20 years here at Cindy and Vic’s is a blessing and that gives me reason to smile every day!
I was born in Anchorage, but spent most of my teenage years in Utah where I met my husband, Matt. We were best friends throughout our school years and got married in 2003 after I attended college in Utah.
In the summer of 2004, we moved to Alaska and I met Cindy and Vic through our previous work at the Anchorage School District ACT Program. I started working part time for Cindy and Vic’s back in April of 2006, and have been a full time employee since September of 2010.
Our agency is my forever home, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to work! I adore all of the participants and staff we work with!
Some of my favorite things are vacationing
with my family, camping, fishing, loving on our dog Lily and spending time with
our beautiful daughter Cambria!
I started working at Cindy & Vic’s in 2012 after retiring from
the Anchorage School District in 2011 where I had worked first as a special
education teacher and for most of my career as a school counselor. Over the
years with Cindy and Vic’s, I have been worked as a DSP in group day hab, at
the assisted living homes, and later worked as a case manager and resident
manager. In September 2021 I had the opportunity to become part of the
administrative team at Cindy and Vic’s as the Training & Agency Support
Coordinator. In this new position, I get to create and facilitate trainings
for staff, put together continuing education resources, help support Renee
with our assisted living homes, and assist the agency with special projects.
When I’m not working, I
enjoy spending time with my family; we are overjoyed to have a new granddaughter
who was born in December of 2020! I love journaling, walking, traveling and
doing expressive arts.
What I love most about
Cindy and Vic’s are the people…there’s a real feeling of caring, connection
and fun. So many times I have thought to myself, “I can’t believe I get paid
for doing what I love!”
Renee Alford
I moved to Anchorage in 1972 and started working for the Anchorage School District after graduating from West High in 1978. I started out as a substitute and was then offered a full-time Teaching Assistant position in 1984. I worked as a T.A. for 7 years, and then moved away for 4 years.
When I moved back, I returned to the school district where I met Cindy and Vic. When they first opened their program, I worked on-call. As the program grew, I worked the summer program and later was offered a full-time position as a Resident Manager at Peace Place. Later, I was offered an administrative position and first worked as a Community Living Supervisor, providing supervision for residential staff and support for our assisted living homes.
My current position is as a Community Living Specialist where I continue to support the assisted living homes with state licensing paperwork, home inspections, as well as quality assurance for our newest electronic Medical Administration Records.
Several months in the winter I spend time with my family in
Louisiana. When not traveling I enjoy spending time with my family that lives
in Anchorage. My faith and my family are a very important part of my life.
Katey Johnson (She/Her)
I’ve worked with individuals with developmental disabilities
for almost 26 years, since I got my first job at 17 years old with the ARC of
Anchorage; since then, I’ve worked at Hope Community Resources, Turnagain
Elementary School in the special education pre-school department, and
Providence Hospital on the mental health unit. I met Cindy and Vic (and Renee
and Tonya and Jerry!) when I came to the ACE/ACT Program. I begin working
part-time at Cindy and Vic’s in September of 2011 as a DSP with the evening program
and moved to the admin team a few years ago. I currently provide case management
services to all of our individuals and I’m also the Systems Operations Manager.
I was born and raised in Anchorage, AK, as were all three of
my children; Miles (age 24, a former Cindy and Vic’s employee!), Bellamy and Milo. All of my kiddos have either graduated or are
currently active in the Russian Immersion Program. I met my husband Nathan in
2004 in college, and we got married in November of 2015.
I couldn’t ask for a better place to work than Cindy and
Vic’s. In fact, they’re stuck with me, I’m never leaving! I’m grateful for each
and every person that I’ve met by working here; participants, staff, family
members, Care Coordinators, etc. I’ve learned so much from each and every one
of them, and I look forward to many more years with the Cindy and Vic’s family!
Linda Steiner
I started working at Cindy and Vic’s in July of 2022 and was
fortunate to get to be trained by the late, great, never-to-be-replaced Karen
Wegrzyn. She still whispers in my ear on payroll weekends! (Okay…sometimes she
yells!). When you see me, think of dollar signs and money as I am the Billing
Specialist where I make sure programs and houses have petty cash, time sheets
are complete so our employees can be paid, and billing Medicaid so our agency
is reimbursed for the amazing services we provide.
I come with 30 years of experience in the hospitality/tourism field as Director of Sales for various hotels. I am also known for helping others with garage and home organization projects.
When not working, I have 2 major passions: spirituality and dogs. God spelled backward is DOG! I am a Licensed Spiritual Counselor and have training in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care. My much-loved late dog Midnight inspired me to create a pet ministry where I support pet owners with blessings, celebrations, pet care, prayer, and help with end-of-life concerns. I can often be singing in the choir at the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, guest speaking, teaching classes and serving.
One of my proudest moments in my life is the numerous times I helped Aliy Zirkle get her dog team to the start of the Iditarod. You might have guessed by now; dogs are a major theme and a life passion. One of the reasons I love to come to the Cindy and Vic’s center is how dog-friendly the place is. I bring treats and extra snuggles and provide extra walks for the dogs that come to the center! Cindy and Vic’s, R & R, Inc. is one of those amazing “unicorn” organizations where I can I share my strengths and passions and be my fun-loving, dog-loving self!
Teri 'Poppins' Cunningham
Kincaid Cottage
If you ignore the first 6 months of my life I am a lifelong Alaskan. My father was raised in Ketchikan and spent a short time in Colorado, where I was born. I grew up in southeast Alaska, eventually moving to Anchorage where I’ve spent most of my life. I lived in Fairbanks for 5 years but that’s another story…
After a long career in printing and publishing life brought changes and Cindy and Vic’s was one of those. I worked in the day-hab Program and weekend relief while completing certification in Medical Assisting.
When Cindy and Vic opened the “Happy Place” house in 2013 I took on the role of Resident Manager. In 2016 the two residents and I packed our gear and moved renaming the house the “Joyful Joint”. One last move in 2020 when the agency purchased a ranch home, “Kincaid” where I continue as the resident manager working with the same two amazing women. We are an active household participating in community races and Special Olympics.
I am a founding board member on the Alaska Association of Direct Support Professionals and have been actively engaged in promoting professional recognition of Direct Support Professionals. I have been part of the DSP Pilot Program with the Alaska Training Cooperative and Senior and Disabilities Services, earning national certification through National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). I am an active participant in the Aging and Disabilities Forum sponsored each year by Special Olympics. I continue to be actively involved in Special Olympics, coordinating the Law Enforcement Torch, coaching Golf Skills, and volunteering at various events.
Audra Lovejoy
Peace Place
I started working for the Cindy and Vic’s family in June of 2017! I was born in Colorado and raised in Alaska, where I lived in Hoonah, Cordova, and Anchorage where I met my husband, Rick. In 1988, we got married and moved to San Diego, and then to Oregon where we raised their 3 children. I worked for a local school district there, where I provided supports for students with a wide variety of needs as a Behavior Consultant.
My connection to Cindy and Vic’s came about during my daughter’s wedding, where Anna Pieper was the photographer! After I heard about C&V from Anna, I applied for a job. The stars aligned, and we had an opening that was the perfect fit: Peace Place Resident Manager. I feel so incredibly blessed…The ladies at Peace Place are amazing and bring joy to my life daily.
I have worked for Cindy and Vic's since September of 2012, when I started out as weekend relief in our Assisted Living Homes. In May of 2013, I became the Resident Manager at Harmony House.
I like spending time with the girls out in the community, making home cooked meals, and having dinner parties. But, most of all, I like living and sharing a home with amazing individuals.
I ventured to Alaska from Wisconsin after graduating college in 2005 to complete a year term of AmeriCorps National Service. I then moved back to the lower 48 and completed another term in St. Louis. Through AmeriCorps, I traveled around assisting with natural disasters and conservation before returning to Alaska in 2008. I found the first love of my life, Layla, on Craigslist in 2009. We like going for walks, riding my Harley Davidson trike, spending time at home and coaching Special Olympics.
Hi! My favorite thing to do is to hangout with my grandson and rest of the family. I also like to hike, bike, swim and take long drives and take picture of nature.
I came Cindy and Vic's because I needed a job with insurance and knew they were an awesome company to work for.
I really enjoy work at Blessing Bungalow with my guys, they are the best.
Wendy Michal
Joyful Joint
I was born in Queens, New York, as the first generation of a family who immigrated from Mexico. I married my high school sweetheart, and we headed from Kansas to Alaska in search of adventure!
I was a hairdresser for 12 years and I helped people feel good about themselves on the outside and I believe I got into DSP work to help people on the inside! I started working at Cindy and Vic’s in January of 2017! I provided a variety of services at Cindy and Vic’s including day hab, hourly respite, supported living, and weekend relief at one of the assisted living homes. I love to be out and active in the community!
I applied for a new position at the end of 2023 and was offered the position of Resident Manager at Joyful Joint with working with 3 awesome individuals. I look forward to sharing my passion for cooking, being physically active, and arts and crafts.
I have 5 godchildren and 2 “fur babies”. My hobbies include paddleboarding, painting, weight lifting, snowshoeing and hanging out with my hubby and pups.
Natalia Romero
I was born in Colombia went back and forth between Colombia and Israel for my whole life. There are 10 kids in my family: 2 girls and 8 boys. In 2020 I moved to the US and lived in Florida and Puerto Rico. In 2022 I moved to Anchorage. I worked at a jewelry store before coming to work at Cindy and Vic’s in the group day hab program Summer of 2023.
I enjoy everything about the job. The atmosphere is positive and people are friendly. I like being active with the participants in the community. For my hobbies I like weightlifting and playing piano for fun.
Helena Dunnigan
I was born in Seattle but lived in Alaska almost 30 years. I worked in the Anchorage School District as a Special Education Teaching Assistant for 10 years at a number of elementary and high schools.
I started working in the day hab program at Cindy and Vic’s in the Spring of 2023. I enjoy hanging out with the participants out in the community and building friendships and being active. I enjoy working with other staff members and having fun together.
For hobbies I enjoy being outdoors hiking, walking, and fishing. I am very family oriented and enjoy time with them. Friends are very important to me and I try to be a great example for them.
Amy Goorchenko
I started working with Cindy & Vics in February of 2023. I was born in California and raised in Alaska.
In my free time I do photography, read, and make coffee. Cindy & Vics has given me an amazing family that I love working alongside. I look forward to my future with the company.
Torrie Ruhle
I was born in Bellingham, Washington, but moved to Alaska with my family in 1982 for what was only supposed to be a year-long adventure. Well, that was 42 years ago!!
Beautiful Alaska will forever be home.
I am a single mother of a 24-year-old amazing young man. When he was two, I decided that I would start an in-home daycare so that I could stay home and raise him. I have had the pleasure of owning an operating Torrie’s Tots for almost 22 years. My clients become family. I feel very blessed to be on this journey.
Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to start some part-time work at Cindy And Vic’s. I have had the best experience getting to know everyone. It has been an amazing company to be a part of. I love working with the residents in the homes.
Some of my very favorite things are my pets. I have a great Dane, Stella Maze Marie. I also have 3 rescue kitties. Lenny B (famous for surviving a tussle with a wolverine here in Anchorage), Ruby and Sir Roscoe Jenkins.
I enjoy the great outdoors, a good bonfire and some fishing. I travel to Hawaii yearly to spend time with some Family who lives there. I love to color, puzzle and a good crime documentary.
Michelle Nelson
I was born in Oregon, and my parents moved me and my brother here to Alaska when I was two or three. It was right after the oil spill, and we moved to Valdez to help clean up. They loved the freedom that Alaska had and we stayed.
I have worked in the ss a Direct Support Professional for many years and been with Cindy & Vics R & R since 2015. I have mainly worked as weekend relief at Blessings Bungalow, but I also work at Joyful Joint, Peace Place, and Kincaid Cottage. I love helping people to live to their lives to the highest potential while building their existing life skills. I enjoy building a strong relationship with the people I work with. One of my favorite quotes is “no act of kindness, no mater how small is ever wasted.”
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time playing games with my family. I also enjoy making things with my hands and sharing projects with others. Some of my hobbies are pressing and drying flowers, making jewelry and casting resin, carving, cooking and baking.
Natalie Wilson
I was born and raised here in Anchorage. I was first introduced to Cindy and Vic’s by my mother, Allison Wilson, who was already employed with them. She suspected I would really love this job, so she had me come and visit her at work and introduced me to some of the participants. She was right! I fell in love. Shortly after my introduction to the Program, I began my work here in August of 2013.
I have my bachelor’s in Health Sciences and am a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. I work on-call as a physical therapy assistant at Alaska Regional Hospital.
As I have time, I work on-call for Cindy and Vic’s in group day hab, individual day hab, respite, and occasionally at the assisted living homes. I am conversationally fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and had the opportunity to provide staff training during the pandemic.
When not working, I enjoy being active hiking, rock-climbing, skiing, skijoring, jogging, and softball. I also enjoy cozy times at home with my partner Ryan and our 2 “tri-pawed” dogs Snowball and Shifter, and our adorable black cats Nina and Leon.
This job has been wonderful. It challenges me and helps me grow. I learn so much from our participants and I find that there is never a dull moment!
I started working at Cindy & Vics in April of 2022 first in the Assisted Living Homes and later in Group Day Hab. I enjoy working in both settings equally! I work with amazing people and enjoy helping our participants & residents to become more self-sufficient.
Everyone here is extremely nice and pleasant. I love my job! Cindy and Vic’s is an extremely honest company; I like the way they run the business.
I love dogs, but currently don’t have any of my own. I love that Cindy and Vic’s is such a dog-friendly community so I can love on the dogs around here! Dogs are one of my greatest passions, hobbies, and interests.
A favorite quote is: “She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”
Kelly Day-Lewis
I became part of Cindy & Vic’s in 2018 as a DSP working in Group Day Hab. I love working with our people and having the flexibility to get out and involved in community adventures. What I appreciate about Cindy and Vic’s is the feeling of being a family.
Leilah Hemmen
I started working at C&V's in April 2022. Before that, I was a full-time mom to my two boys, played tennis 3-4 times a week, volunteered for the Red Cross of Alaska, and worked part-time at The Alaska Health Fair. When my youngest son started driving, I realized that I was no longer needed at home. While playing tennis with Vicki, she suggested that I work for her company. At first, I was concerned about not having worked for a long time, but she reassured me by saying, "You're a mom, and that's more than enough."
Growing up, my parents worked in our hospital where they took care of sick, poor, and needy people. Their compassion and dedication to healing and helping others had a profound impact on me. I feel fortunate to have followed in their footsteps. My extensive travels around the world have helped me understand different cultures and taught me to be patient, humble, and most importantly, appreciative of the wonderful life I have. I am grateful to work at C&V where compassionate and dedicated staff provide happiness and comfort to those that we support.
Rory Cleveland
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I graduated from UAA with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice in 2022. I am a proud dog dad to an Australian Shepard, Autumn. I am a colorful queer man who loves to be creative and loves to see everyone’s creativity shine at Cindy and Vic’s!
I’ve been a part of the Cindy and Vic’s family since 2020, joining the team via zoom, learning how to adapt to the “Zoomiverse” and picked up quickly on how to work with the team! Then, I joined “in person” group day hab with Kelly in 2021, heading out into the community for more fun and adventures. I expanded my knowledge and experience, and from there on, here I am
James Olson
I was raised in Tucson Arizona and moved to Anchorage in November 1993. I have worked in the field supporting people with developmental disabilities since the summer of 1975. Since moving to Alaska, I worked at Hope Community Services for 20 years before leaving to care for a family friend. Since then, I have provided in home care as a CNA and as a special education teaching assistant for the Anchorage School District from 2011 to 2023. I also worked at Anchorage Custom Powder Coating from 1998 to 2011. After working 2 full time jobs for 25 years, I am really enjoying semi-retirement.
I began working at Cindy & Vic's in November 2021. I have enjoyed working with the ladies of Joyful Joint and occasionally Peace Place. They have all treated me with kindness and good humor. I feel quite spoiled. My constant 4-legged companion "Beast" has also been adopted by the ladies. He could tell you endless stories of being spoiled, as they shower him with affection.
When not working, I enjoy target shooting and spending enough money on my truck to make my wife smother me in my sleep if she knew!
Jerry Moore
Mike Lewis
I was born in Northern California and fell in love with Alaska in 1976 when I took a summer job as a 20-year-old at what was then Mount McKinley National Park.
I returned to California and got my bachelor’s from San Jose State, then worked for 5 years for weekly newspapers and ski bumming at Lake Tahoe. But by 1985, my love for Alaska had only gotten stronger. I hopped in a van with two fellow journalists and my beloved Lab and moved to Anchorage. I arrived with $50 to my name but I knew I’d found my forever home.
After a summer living in that van and working the slime line at a cannery, I was hired by the Anchorage Daily News, where I met the love of my life, Kelly. We married in 1997. After a 37-year career with time off to paddle the length of the Yukon River, race in Mount Marathon, mountain bike the Resurrection Trail both ways and turn into a bona fide little-dog nerd, I “retired” in 2022.
Kelly was working for Cindy and Vic’s, and my newfound free time allowed me to follow her and her groups on outings. I immediately realized she was doing some tremendous, satisfying and inspiring work with some amazing people. Six months after “retiring“, I joined this incredible team in a part-time capacity. It’s honestly the most rewarding job I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to get to work each day.
Angela Pearson
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I enjoy the beautiful summers here with my boyfriend Jaiden and beautiful daughter Blair. We choose to enjoy the summers Alaska brings by attending outside concerts with my little concert buddy Blair, hiking adventures, and dirt trail rides in Caswell, Alaska. Blair also has made me a better gardener this last summer.
I started with Cindy and Vic’s in 2013 and have just grown to love the family I’ve made here. I work with such amazing individuals, it’s truly a blessing to have a job that never feels like one.
Linda Marie Wymbs
I was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona. A little copper mining town on the Southern border to Mexico. I had an excellent upbringing with amazing parents; I have 1 older sister & 2 older brothers. I moved to Alaska in 2006…and what an amazing place to have landed!
I began working at Cindy and Vic’s in August of 2018, with lots of encouragement from a friend Carly Neumeth, who also works as a resident manager at Cindy & Vic’s. I started as a DSP in the GDH program, and within a couple months, I was taking relief weekend shifts in the group homes. In 2019, I started working as a full-time weekend relief staff at the Cindy & Vic’s assisted living homes where I had the pleasure of working in all of the houses. From 2021 to 2023 I had the opportunity to be a resident manager which provided many opportunities for learning and growth.
Continuing on @ Cindy and Vic’s as weekend relief staff for their group homes & occasionally covering shifts assisting with coverage where needed I appreciate & support their Mission @ Cindy & Vic’s. It’s a person-centered family atmosphere and love the activities and events they offer! Very community supportive, Special Olympics advocates with local, state & worldwide competitions support.
When not working, I enjoy camping, dancing, kayaking, fishing, gardening, and enjoy the local
talent outdoor music festivals. Blessed & Thankful
