When Ashley Sanders joined Melwood in January 2020, just weeks before the pandemic began, she wasn’t just starting a new chapter. She was stepping into the workforce for the very first time. With no prior job experience, she arrived eager to learn, ready to work, and determined to take on any challenge in front of her.

She had heard about Melwood through her church, where someone told her about job opportunities for people with disabilities. After visiting Melwood and interviewing, she was hired on the spot. Six years later, Ashley is a proud member of the Melwood Enterprises custodial team at a USDA facility, where her supervisors describe her as hardworking, kind, and deeply dedicated. They see leadership potential in her and know she aspires to become a supervisor one day.

Ashley brings that drive to work every day. “I’ve learned a lot here,” she said, reflecting on the skills she’s gained—everything from sweeping and mopping to restroom care, high and low dusting, and maintaining professional standards throughout the building. She enjoys her work, knows what she’s doing, and takes pride in her routine. Her growth is even more meaningful considering her cognitive disability—something she speaks about with confidence, using her experience to encourage employers everywhere to give people with disabilities a chance.

Her work has also brought stability and joy to her personal life. Living in Landover and raising two children, Ashley appreciates being able to provide for her family, purchase food and clothing, and spend quality time making memories—from trips to arcades and theme parks to cruises and other getaways. Outside of work, she loves taking pictures and cherishing everyday moments with her kids.

Kind, dependable, and motivated, Ashley embodies the spirit of Melwood’s mission. She continues to grow in her role, support her team, and work toward her goal of becoming a supervisor—proving every day what’s possible when people are given the opportunity to thrive. And for Ashley, that opportunity began with her very first job—one that opened the door to confidence, skills, and a future she’s building with pride.