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Meet D.M. Camille Marshall

 

It was only appropriate that D.M. Camille Marshall’s introduction to YAI started as a volunteer assisting with the production of Romeo and Juliet featuring the people YAI supports at Manhattan Day Services.

 

Nine years later, she ensures that people who live at YAI’s E. 36th Street Residence have an opportunity to appreciate the arts in all its forms. Camille, who has a background in theater, has her own local theater company — Or Else Productions — which produces off-Broadway shows. She also writes plays and acts. Theater, she says, is her “sideline.”

 

“I try to instill an appreciation of the arts for anyone who is interested,” she says. “I find activities, free concerts, plays, cabarets or trips to art museums or galleries.”

 

Tom Hoch, who has lived at the residence for two years, enjoys the activities Camille plans. “I like going out,” Tom says. “I like the entertainment.”

 

“I enjoy exposing people to new things; it can be a nice restaurant or a trip to a gallery to show them the work of a new photographer or artist,” Camille says, adding that several people in the home participate in YAI ARTS, a program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share and develop their art skills.

 

Camille’s theater background also has helped as she supports Shirley Wong’s brother, Kim, in the home. She says her brother is shy and tends to speak softly. “Camille always motivates my brother to speak louder and address his feelings,” she said. “She practices this with him.”

 

He also enjoys the visits to museums and galleries with Camille, Shirley added.

 

Kim also is developing food prep and cooking skills with Camille’s assistance. “Camille is a good cook and she also trains and supervises my brother when he has to cook for the group. He has learned a lot from her.”

 

“I never thought I would be in this field,” Camille says. “I’ve done catering, market research and worked in restaurants. This is the most meaningful job I’ve ever had. You feel like you’re doing something that’s helping people.”

 

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