Brandi Bluel was born in Red Bluff, CA, where she spent most of her youth until moving to Chico and Sacramento for College. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a BS in Sociology. Before becoming an employee, Ms. Bluel began work at Resources for Independent Living as an intern. As an employee she worked her way through all of the core programs at the center. When she left RIL in 2021, she was the Program Manager. Leaving was very difficult, as she had forged many relationships. However, she felt the step-up to Grant Administrator for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program for the Department of Rehabilitation would be beneficial to her career path. Ms. Bluel is honored and excited to return to RIL as the Executive Director in 2022 to carry on the passion she has for the Independent Living Movement. In her spare time, she enjoys playing card and board games with her friends and family; traveling; trying new restaurants; going to concerts; and spending time with her two rescue dogs, Ireland and Zion.

Photo description: Picture of Brandi who is a white woman in her mid-thirties. She has straight, shoulder-length red hair and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black top, small stud earrings, and a delicate necklace with a round pendant. The background is plain gray.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, I have always embraced the vibrant culture and community of my hometown. I graduated from California State University, Sacramento, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. My academic journey began at Sacramento City College, where I earned my Associate's degrees in both Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies in Behavioral Sciences.

Before joining RIL, I dedicated two and a half years to the California Department of Social Services, balancing a full-time job while pursuing my studies. This experience deepened my commitment to social welfare and community service.

I have a passion for travel and food, finding joy in exploring new places and cuisines. While Sacramento will always be home, I have a special sentiment for Santa Cruz, where the cooler weather and laid-back vibe provide a refreshing escape. Creativity plays a significant role in my life; I enjoy making handcrafted jewelry and crocheting. Additionally, I find joy in dancing, singing, and cherishing quality time with my loved ones.

Through my work and passions, I strive to make a positive impact and embrace the beauty of life’s diverse experiences.

Photo description: Picture of CeCe who is a Mexican-American woman with long black hair. She is standing centered in the frame, wearing a Sacramento State hoodie paired with a deep emerald green Sac State graduation stole. She’s dressed in dark blue jeans and black booties, presenting a confident and proud graduation moment.

Rebekah was born in raised in California. She received her BA in Psychology through California State University, Northridge. She also completed most of her graduate studies at Grand Canyon University but put that on the back-burner while raising her son. She has a passion for learning and plans to complete her graduate studies as a personal goal in the future. She has worked in the disabilities service field for over 17 years. Her passion to work in this field truly comes from growing up with a grandmother who was a special education teacher, Special Olympics volunteer, and Sunday school teacher for adults with developmental disabilities.

In 2008, she decided to move to Tucson, AZ where her brother lived. For almost 11 years she worked at Chapel Haven West, a program that provided residential, day programming, and supported living services for adults with developmental disabilities, empowering them to live independent and self-determined lives. There she was the Supported Living Program Manager. However, she always dreamed of moving back to CA. In 2019 she and her family made the move, and she became a Program Manager at an adult day program for United Cerebral Palsy of Sacramento and Northern CA. In January 2023, she continued her career at RIL to apply her knowledge, experience, expertise, and skills in her position as the Program Manager. Seeing those we support having meaningful and engaged experiences every day brings so much joy and fulfillment to her life.

Most of Rebekah’s spare time is spent with her family. She and her family enjoy camping, playing board games, taking road trips, and playing with their chihuahua dog named Izzy. One interesting fact about Rebekah is she is a huge Wonder Woman fan and has been collecting for over twenty years.

Photo description: Picture of Rebekah who is a white woman with wavy dark brown hair and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black top and small diamond stud earrings. The background is plain gray.

James Crum was born and raised in Sacramento, California. James studied Diesel and Industrial Technology at Universal Technical Institute and pursued a career in the Automotive field for 12 years. In the summer of 2022 James got a bad case of Covid 19 and was put into a medically induced coma for 2 months. Upon awakening James found he had a tracheostomy and was unable to speak temporarily. Through his circle of support, he was connected with RIL and became part of their Voice Options program where he received a device he could use to communicate with hospital staff, friends, and family. After a year of recovery, James was getting ready to go back to work when he suffered two heart attacks and was put into a medically induced coma for two weeks in the fall of 2023. After a shorter recovery time James realized he would not be able to go back to the automotive industry and learned of an opening at RIL. James started his career at RIL in January of 2024 and now works as an Independent Living Specialist.

Hello everyone,

My name is Linda, and I am honored to be part of the RIL team working as the Aging Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Coordinator. I have had the opportunity to work with people of different kinds of disabilities or cross disabilities including mental, physical, invisible, vision impaired and developmental for past 19 years. Having got a neurological disability over twenty years ago that affected my mobility, has molded me more each day to embrace my work and continue advocating for people with disabilities. I believe that a disability is an empowerment and ability to do things differently.

Trystan had a decade long education journey starting at ARC in the fall of 2011 to Sacramento State in the Spring of 2021. He graduated with an AA in History of the Creative Arts and a BA in English Literature. His post-graduation career thought to become a Special Education teacher, so he worked at Learning Solutions while working on his teaching credential. After three semesters in the Mild/Mod teaching credential program, he felt his skills should be applied somewhere else and into Disability activism. He thought RIL would be a good start into the Disability activism space while bringing his experiences as a person with a disability into practice.

Trystan lives with his fiancée who have two cats (Kittystami and Maxwell) and a dog (Lucy, in picture). Trystan’s hobbies are reading widely ranging of genres of books, watching widely different films, and spending time with his newly formed family. He is a big fan of science fiction as a genre and enjoy watching and reading science fiction media.

Photo description: Picture of Trystan who is a tall white man with auburn hair and a beard. He is standing next to a sign that says,"Achievement begins and ends with AT" while holding a cane with his left hand.

Diana has worked for RIL since March 2018. Diana heard about RIL through a local caregivers’ union. RIL has helped Diana increase her job skills and she has picked up new tasks such as filing and copying. In her spare time Diana enjoys cooking, sports and being a caregiver to various people with disabilities.

Michelle is the "Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives for Seniors” PEARLS Coach at RIL.

As Maya Angelou quotes: “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same as making a life”. Michelle is grateful to have made a life ranging from Special Events Manager specializing in Community Relations to Community Theatre Actor. Representing RIL, developing community relationships, reaching for richer experiences, believing in service to others and continuous learning, Michelle embraces her new role as PEARLS Coach with RIL.

Degreed in Gerontology/Advocacy, Theatre Arts (CSUS). Fun fact: Commencement speaker 2022.

Michelle enjoys the Theatre, grand adventures with her dog Chloe, making merriment mischief with Granddaughters, traveling to beloved Mexico and consignment shopping in the Haight District in San Francisco. Michelle dedicates her new journey with RIL to her beloved Mother Juanita- her inspiration for being a part of a community-based program.

Photo description: Picture of Michelle who is a woman with shoulder-length auburn hair, fair skin, smiling with red lipstick . Michelle is wearing a dark denim jacket over a floral design blouse. The background is dark blue.

Teddy Austin was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. I have a passion for fostering community and empowerment. Before joining RIL, I dedicated my time to mentoring students at San Juan High School, guiding them toward future life success. I’m also CPR certified, ensuring that I’m prepared to support those around me in any situation.
In my free time, I enjoy exploring the culinary arts. I believe that food brings people together, and some of our greatest memories are made around the dinner table. Whether I’m trying out new recipes or sharing meals with friends and family, I cherish the connections that food creates.

I have always enjoyed working with people who wish to improve the quality of their life. Everyone who comes to RIL for service is looking for just that person who can assist them achieve their goals. Both as an IL Specialist for almost two months and as RIL’S Shelter Plus Care Case Manager for over a decade, many of RIL’s consumers have succeeded in finding and retaining their housing for over ten years. Some got their benefits approved, while others returned to work and were able to keep their benefits. I am fortunate to have the job that allows me to explore and provide available options for the consumer. I provide them with information, peer advising and ensure consumers are well informed so they can make an informed decision. Not every consumer achieves his or her goals and that’s o.k. too. I tell them that it’s important to accept the challenge and once we do this then it all unfolds one step at a time.

I started working at RIL in February of 2021. I have learned so much more about Sacramento even though I have lived in Sacramento my whole life. I love helping people. Even pointing people in the right direction or to the right person is something I truly love doing.

I have over 5 years of customer service experience and about 4 years of office assistant experience. I have two Associate degrees, one in Social Science and one in Liberal Arts-both from American River College in Sacramento.

My work experiences as a Coordinator of Educational Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, Board Member for The American Cancer Society and Appointments by two governors to serve on a statewide advisory committee helped prepare me for this rewarding career. My role at RIL consists of advocating for and helping people with disabilities put systems in place to live independently and safely in the community with accessible services. My academic background includes undergraduate studies at Jackson State University and graduate studies at California State University.

Systems Change Navigator/Community Organizer
Joe Wilson is the Systems Change Advocate/Community Organizer at RIL and previous YLF delegate. He moved to Sacramento in 2010 and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies at California State University, Sacramento in 2016.

Joe discovered a passion for helping others through volunteering as a crisis counselor for the California Youth Crisis Line. Joe has an interest in writing and operates a blog to encourage others to step outside the comfort zone.

His goal is to one day travel the country as a life coach.

Cory has been a consumer since 2012, and now maintains employment at RIL! Cory finds RIL to be very passionate about helping people with disabilities. With the help of RIL Cory secured housing and is now in charge of his own finances!

“RIL has been instrumental to me living independently with a disability.”

Photo description: Picture of Cory who is a white male and is standing in front of the RIL office windows next to an RIL sign. Cory is wearing a black shirt, jeans, and black glasses while smiling at the camera.