A Day in the Life: Meg Montanye
We Change Each Other
Finding AIM
Before coming to AIM, I worked in public schools and at the YMCA in the before and after school program. I met Chris Lyons, our CEO at AIM, when his daughter attended our programs. We had many conversations over two and a half years about AIM. He’d come in every day to pick up his daughter, tell me a joke, hand me a business card, and I’d roll my eyes.
Eventually, in 2016, I called Chris. I was ready for a new journey but didn’t know what to do next. He had me meet him at one of the residences AIM supports. At that point, I didn’t even know what a group home was, so it was initially a bit jarring. A gentleman named Keith, with whom I would eventually build a beautiful relationship, greeted me at the door and asked me what my intentions were. I was hooked. I went back to AIM’s main office with Chris, and he set me up with an interview with another director. January marks my 10-year anniversary at AIM!
Headfirst
I jumped into my job at AIM headfirst. By March, I was overwhelmed and thinking about leaving. I had suffered incredible loss before resigning from my previous job, and with this new path, I felt like everything I knew was missing. Chris met me at Panera, and as I cried into my broccoli cheddar soup, he reminded me, in the most positive, inspiring way, that this job was about the people we support. It pulled me out of my confusion and doubt, and I stayed.
I have never worked somewhere that shows up for staff the way I see and experience at AIM. With my mind focused on the mission and the people I was supporting, I was able to do more than ever. Eventually, I went on to work in the supportive apartments, an experience that would change my life.
A New Perspective
I supported people at the apartments who changed my perspective and understanding of the daily struggles, experiences, and joys that people with disabilities face. This job provided me with the most growth I had ever experienced in my life.
I walked alongside people as they were treated differently in their daily lives. I learned about end-of-life care and independent, personal choice, and I saw a lot of injustice. I also witnessed perseverance and people achieving their goals and dreams in the face of their challenges along the way.
Today, I tell people in our training classes that this is the hardest job they’ll ever have. Not to dissuade them, but to let them know it’s hard in a completely unique way. You are walking alongside people as they experience their hardest and their best days, navigating a life that comes with a lot of obstacles. They don’t need your sorrow or your protection from real-life experiences. You may have really tough days because you’re helping someone experience their best day. More than anything, what a privilege it is to stand back and watch people change their own lives.
Making a Difference
In 2021, I was interviewing for a new role at AIM when the interviewer stopped me and asked, “What do you really want to do?” I told her I wanted to improve the lives of the people we support, improve training, and improve the staff experience. I knew that improving the work experience for staff would, in turn, improve the lives of the people we serve. I also knew that bridging the gaps between HR and training could bring about positive changes.
Joining the training department opened my eyes to the depth and unique needs of our staff. People fell asleep in training, but then I learned it was because they had four jobs. Rickke Mabie would fix someone’s car in the parking lot at the end of the day. We’d help staff with temporary housing, bills, resources, and even getting to work. I’ve learned to push people to do their very best while so they can in turn be the best for the people they support. I am firm, but fair. And I think we have never been more present or more effective as trainers and supports for our incredible staff.
Changing Lives and Changing Minds
I love that I have formed the unlikeliest of bonds with my coworkers. So many people who, without our connection at AIM, would never have entered my life. Because of these relationships, every day is a good day here, even on a bad day.
AIM hires people for their emotional intelligence, then helps them find their right spot. We are bonded by our deep emotional commitment to improving the lives of people with develop
mental disabilities. AIM will do whatever it takes to help you so you can help the people you support. AIM creates a sense of family, and I want to keep that growing here.
I also want to see our community members’ understanding of the abilities, worth, and beauty of people with disabilities continue to grow. These are not special people who need their hands held. We are inherently all the same, just floating on a different spectrum. If we could focus on elevating people’s lives and creating a level playing field where everyone has the opportunity to access what they want and need in life, man, what a better place this world would be.
Find Your Place
If you’re looking to find your place in the world, want to leave it better, don’t know where to go or where you fit, and want to do something good with your life, this is a really good place to start. We just ask that you be humble and kind.
You don’t need to come to AIM with any experience. You’ll come here and help people live the best versions of their lives. You just have to want to change lives, which will change yours in the process. You get to choose how much you put into this work.
The DSP of the Year for 2026 is Todd Beecher, who left his job in retail to find something more. He stood up on the first day of his new hire training at AIM and said, “I don’t know if I’ll be any good at this, but I’m going to try really hard.”