Be the Change

Delcie Mills, owner and co-director of AMJaMB, loves helping people with disabilities flourish and thrive. From growing up alongside her brother Jamie, who has autism, to working with a wide range of needs today, Delcie says “being in this community and supporting this community has always been just really natural.”

Delcie Mills helped form AMBJaMB to assist disabled people in the North State to flourish and live more independently.
Photos by Pamela Newman.

In 2009, Delcie’s husband, Domenic Console, and his business partner Terry Kozloff created AMJaMB to help people with disabilities in the North State live more independently. Delcie and Domenic’s son Michael has autism and Terry’s son Ben was deaf, blind and quadriplegic.
Because of their children, Jamie, Delcie, Domenic and Terry had special insight into the needs that come with disabilities. They also recognized the wishes and dreams of their loved ones. Like most people, Jamie, Michael and Ben desired personal independence and caring community.

With both these needs and dreams in mind, AMJaMB was launched to provide supported living services – individualized assistance that enables individuals to live in their own homes. Delcie describes this service as “crucial; it gives people an opportunity to be able to live in their own home and not in someone else’s house.”

Expanded services create community and explore job opportunities.

Supported living services include a wide range of daily tasks, such as keeping medical appointments, budgeting or preparing meals. Over the years, AMJaMB has expanded to offer a variety of other services, including day programs that foster a fun, family-like community.
A day at AMJaMB might include karaoke, bingo, yoga, sign language, book club, art, drama, language classes or health and safety education. Delcie emphasizes individual choice rather than imposing a rigorous schedule. She also prioritizes giving back to the community as a key aspect of the day program, so AMJaMB participants regularly volunteer at Salvation Army.

Most recently, AMJaMB has entered the job development field. “Everybody should be able to work if they want to,” Delcie says. This new venture involves helping people push past the labels and limitations their disabilities might impose upon them, leaning into their interests and abilities to find jobs or paid internships that could lead to future employment. AMJaMB helps with building resumes, submitting applications, practicing for interviews and even dressing for interviews. “I’m really excited about this because I want people to feel that just because they were given a diagnosis doesn’t mean they can’t work in whatever fashion they can or want to,” Delcie says. “When they work or volunteer, it gives them self-confidence and lets them know, ‘Hey, I can do things, I just have to put my mind to it, and if I need help, I have people who support me.’”

AMJaMB recipients can also find niches as AMJaMB employees. In fact, of approximately 70 employees, over half are employed at Far Northern Regional Center. Many people enjoy staffing Call Connection – a program that extends a social connection by checking in via text, email or phone call to provide reminders to take medications or go to appointments. Other offerings include respite care and personal assistance. Delcie and her team constantly look for ways to meet needs in ways that reflect each unique recipient.

A family-run business creates community in the North State

From its inception, AMJaMB has been intentionally family oriented. As an acronym of the founders’ children’s initials; even the name AMJaMB reflects the value of family. Delcie and Domenic’s three sons work for the business in various capacities and Delcie hopes that they may one day take over the business if they desire. Sadly, Domenic died in 2022. As she has grappled with the grief of losing her husband and mother in recent years, Delcie has experienced AMJaMB in a deeper way. “It just feels like a big family,” Delcie says, “and just like any other family, we’ve learned how to work through issues or problems that come up and that makes us stronger.”

AMJaMB program manager Heidi Madery has worked for AMJaMB since 2013, working closely with Delcie since 2016. Heidi testifies to Delcie’s kindness and commitment to her biological family and to her adopted AMJaMB family. “Delcie is always patient and when we’re dealing with serious business matters she has the most level head and calm demeanor,” Heidi says. “In some of the most uncomfortable situations, she really is a rock.”

AMJaMB welcomes all participants through Far Northern Regional Center, whose assessments help determine which services or vendors will provide the best support. Delcie also welcomes volunteers who would like to share skills with participants. To share your skill or expertise, or to learn how you can support the AMJaMB community, visit amjamb.com/contact.html.

Writer Bio:

Jenna Christophersen is a Chico native who loves her community, living in the North State and writing about remarkable people who build our communities and make them places where families can thrive.