Our Staff

Viviana Amaya

Viviana has 17 years of customer service experience and has worked in Home Health care for over 2 years. Viviana managed an office that helped seniors and consumers with disabilities obtain assistance from caregivers and homemakers. She cared for her grandmother before she passed away-“the importance of helping your loved ones and knowing there are more consumers out here without the help of family or friends. Being able to do the small things for those consumers brings me great joy.” Viviana enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews. Viviana is a people person with a great sense of humor who enjoys helping others. In her free time, she enjoys catching up on the latest series, watching the Chicago Bulls, or just visiting friends and family.

Kindall Carmouche

Kindall is the Program Manager at DRC. Kindall works with our Community Transition Service program, which helps consumers in nursing homes gather natural and physical support and helps them move into new permanent independent housing within the community. Kindall provides outreach support within the community and she also works with our Fast Track program. Kindall implements new lesson plans in High Schools and Colleges within the Will and Grundy service areas. Kindall studied Criminal Justice at Chicago State University and Joliet Junior College. Kindall brings 17 years of experience to empower people with disabilities to realize that no dream is too big or too small to achieve. When Kindall is not working she enjoys relaxing and catching up with family and friends. kindall@drcjoliet.org

Kevin Huckfeldt

My name is Kevin Huckfeldt. I am a full-time Independent Living Advocate and Fast Track Coordinator at Disability Resource Center. I am excited to work with students in the Fast Track program and work in a team-supportive environment. I am a proud alum of Joliet Junior College and Aurora University where I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work. I have experience facilitating, teaching, and developing life skill lessons such as self-advocacy and peer support groups. Self-advocacy is a topic very important in my life. I want to instill in consumers that self-advocacy is about knowing yourself, and knowing what support you need.. 

Additionally, I have previous experience as an intake and referral intern, I assisted with senior care programs such as meals on wheels and community care programs. I also answered a variety of information and referral questions that directed consumers to the appropriate services. In my spare time, I believe in the benefits of self-care. kevin@drcjoliet.org

 

Sam Knight

Sam has been an Independent Living Advocate with Disability Resource Center for the past 8 years. Sam’s favorite thing about what he does within our organization is helping people with disabilities find affordable and accessible housing. When Sam is not working, he enjoys watching football and Cubs baseball. sam@drcjoliet.org

Missy Martin

Missy began her career in 2012 when she was hired as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director. Within that same year, Missy was promoted to Program Manager. In December of 2017, she was promoted to Executive Director.

“As the Executive Director, it is a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people. My duties are many and varied, and no two days are the same! Whether it’s supervising our direct support staff, researching grants, implementing and administrating programs and new initiatives, completing reports, representing the Center at various policy meetings, and more, I am so pleased to be associated with an organization that works to empower people with disabilities to live self-sufficient lives. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family and hope to do more traveling”. missy@drcjoliet.org

Julee Opel

Julee Opel received her associate's degree in art at Joliet Junior College and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on social work and addiction studies. Julee has 20 years of experience working with people that have disabilities. Julee works with our Fast Track and SKILLS classes as well as hosting DRC’s Women’s Support Group. Julee also helps to provide Assistive Technology devices to those who have communication issues. Julee loves working with young adults and encouraging them to be the best that they can be. When Julee is not working she enjoys working out, reading books, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family. julee@drcjoliet.org

Tammy Semmler

Tammy Semmler is our Administrative Assistant/ITAC Coordinator at DRC. Tammy brings her 20 plus years of Administrative Assistant experience from past organizations such as The Plainfield Park District and SEASPAR in Downers Grove.  “I have learned so much since starting at DRC in 2020. I am amazed every day at all of the hard work and dedication that everyone, from our Executive Director to our amazing staff, puts forth for its consumers. Everyone here works so well together.  Our organization's goal is to help people with disabilities achieve independence, and every day my teammates go above and beyond that call of duty.  I am very happy to be a part of this organization, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Disability Resource Center and its staff”. 

Tammy is a huge animal lover, and she and her husband live in Grundy County. In her free time, she likes to craft, knit, crochet, cook and bake. tammy@drcjoliet.org

Sarah Sinner

Sarah is the Community Reintegration Transition Coordinator here at the Disability Resource Center. Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Illinois State University. She is incredibly passionate about providing people with disabilities with effective independent living services. In her free time, she enjoys baking, crafting, and traveling.

Riley Spreadbury

Riley works as an Independent Living Advocate and Fast Track Coordinator here at the Disability Resource Center. She received her Master of Arts degree in Disability Studies at the City University of New York and her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Illinois State University. She is currently working toward a certification in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Riley is incredibly passionate about disability rights especially pertaining to resource education. She wants everyone to know their rights! In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, board games, and spending time with friends and family!

Miguel Vargas

Miguel is our new Administration Assistant Intern. Miguel energetically greets consumers who come into DRC. He directs calls to the appropriate staff members based on consumer needs. Miguel is from the Joliet area and has a passion for helping the people in his community. He often volunteers at local food drives. Miguel is compassionate about the struggles other people may be facing. He always makes sure to be a listening ear to those in need. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, walking, video gaming, and listening to music. 

Delaney Woodall

Delaney Woodall works as our Independent Living Advocate and Deaf Services Coordinator at Disability Resource Center. Delaney is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa who earned a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Minor Degree in Deaf studies. Delaney is also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). In her free time, Delaney likes to take care of her house plants, create art, and play with her baby nephew. Delaney goes by She/Her/Hers pronouns and is excited to work at Disability Resource Center and serve the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing population in the Will-Grundy area. delaney@drcjoliet.org