River City Six – Sam Comfort
Meet Sam Comfort, executive director at Angel Guardians, Inc (www.angelguardians.org).
Tell us a little about your business.
Angel Guardians, Inc. (AGI) is a service provider for adults experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities. At AGI, we take pride in providing community-based habilitative services that are person centered. Over 16 years, AGI has grown and strives to uphold the mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the areas of employment, fitness, socialization, and recreation.
How did you get started in the business?
I started as a paraeducator at Westside Communities Schools. I am proud of my background working my way up, starting as a direct support staff, coordinator, supervisor, and facilitator across multiple school districts and agencies. My mom, a retired Special Education teacher, provided opportunities early on for me to interact with people of different abilities and sparked my passion for the work we do at AGI.
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Courtney and I have been married for almost nine years (happy anniversary on March 3) and have three children: Elsie (6), Evan (4), and Isla (1). They make life more enjoyable. Additionally, we are fortunate to have grandparents that live in Omaha. They provide us with support, for which we are incredibly thankful.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Spend time with family and friends, ideally on a golf course.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow…go on the cutting edge of your competence which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don’t quite know what you’re doing, know you are growing.” – Madeline Cheek Hunter
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Passionate.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Sunday Candy” by Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiments.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Artistic or musical talent. My current abilities include stick figures and clapping off beat.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Angel Guardians, Inc is the obvious answer, but there are many other agencies doing great work. I am the past president of Nebraska Transition College and a believer in their mission of empowering individuals with autism or other disabilities to learn, work, and live within our communities.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build Thriving Organization by Dave Logan and John King.
What is your favorite movie?
Out Cold.
What is your favorite TV show?
LetterKenny, it is a guilty pleasure.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Jams Midtown.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
(402) 614-8202, Ext. 2; sam@angelguardians.org; www.angelguardians.org.