“A group of people who work closely together”
Elijah Thomas has worked in the YELL Lab since March 2020. He also has work experience in the Alachua County Library and in Rural King, where he had worked checking books, greeting customers and directing them to different departments. He graduated from Eastside High School and since then has completed courses in job skills. He has attended some sports clubs such as Noah’s Endeavor and Top soccer Gainesville Alliance. In this spare time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the gym, therapeutic horseback riding, and watching sports. His goal is to use public transportation independently, and continue working as a researcher.
Cyril Nonga-Mann has worked in the YELL Lab since March 2020. He graduated from Gainesville graduated from Gainesville High School (GHS), where he was the captain of the junior varsity lacrosse team and received the “Heart and Team Spirit” award. He was selected among the top ten Finalists in the “Alachua County Double Exposure Competition.” Cyril graduated from Project SAINT (Student Access and INclusion Together) at Santa Fe College, where he was a member of the Artist Entrepreneurship program. In his spare time, Cyril enjoys playing lacrosse, soccer, basketball, tennis, skateboarding, BMX biking, watching sports, traveling with family, and participating in Best Buddies. His goal is to start his own business fixing bikes and cars, and to live independently with a roommate.
Bianka Camacho has worked in the YELL Lab since August 2022. She graduated from Project SAINT (Student Access and INclusion Together) at Santa Fe College. She completed internships at the Grow Hub and at Share Wear at Santa Fe college, and continues to be involved with GrowHub. Bianka plays bowling, bocce, and basketball with Special Olympics and also does fitness activities at Gainesville Health and Fitness. She is also part of Best Buddies. In her spare time, Bianka enjoys music, coloring, Disney and cruises. Her goal is to continue to build her skills through adult education courses at Santa Fe College.
Sienna Smillov has worked in the YELL Lab since September 2023. Since 2019, she has been working at the The Village Nursing Home in Gainesville, where she works in dining services in a memory care unit. She enjoys working with the residents and feel she is making a positive difference in their lives. She graduated from Gainesville High School, where she completed the career-based training program. She graduated from Project SAINT (Student Access and INclusion Together) at Santa Fe College in 2023. Sienna likes working out, listening to music, going to the movies, and babysitting her nephews. She also enjoys traveling abroad with her parents, and the services at Greek Orthodox Church. Sienna’s goal is to expand her knowledge and work skills. She wants to keep helping the older adults and, hopefully, to learn to live independently.
Chrys Brown-Doherty has been working in the YELL Lab since March 2020 (with a brief hiatus). Chrys has also worked at a garden center, Belfry Restaurant, and YES the Arc in Cottonwood, AZ. She graduated from Buchholtz High School, after which she completed job trainings through Vocational Rehab. In spare time, Chrys enjoys reading, writing stories and poetry, playing board and card games, baking, swimming, playing frisbee, skiing and snowboarding. Chrys also loves to hang out with friends, but also having time alone. Chrys’ goal is to get their own house, and a Golden Retriever or Labrador.