Whether through a swimming lesson, an art class, or simply a smile, each day the Tucson J staff brightens the lives of our members and guests. We are proud of the variety of skills and stories that our staff bring to their work, and celebrate this each week through our Facebook and Instagram “Staff Spotlight” series.
Continue reading on for a preview of our July spotlights, and check out the full posts at all @tucsonjcc accounts!
Bianca Caruso | Disability Program Services (DPS) Vocational Program Coordinator
Q: Tell us about your professional background and role here at the Tucson J!
A: I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years. I started out in the world of Experiential Marketing as a Freelance Production Coordinator, then hit the road with my band, traveling the country and even writing a TV show for a major network. More recently, I decided to follow my passion for accessibility and inclusion, heading back to school to earn my degree in Deaf Studies and Educational Interpreting. Along the way, I’ve learned so much about the Disability community, which brings me to my latest adventure at the J! I’m excited to be stepping into the role of Vocational Program Coordinator, where I get to help create opportunities for our participants to gain valuable experience and build their skills.
Q: If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be and why?
A: I really had to think about this one, but I think it’s a tie between tap dancing and playing the upright bass. Both skills look ridiculously fun and satisfying!
Q: What are you most looking forward to as you get into your role?
A: I’m really looking forward to reaching that point where I feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the program, the participants, and the daily rhythm. I’m also super excited to get our new J Shop up and running so I can dive into the next phase of growing the Vocational Program!
Alma McCune | Camp J Noar Unit Head
This summer was Alma’s third spending it as a counselor at Camp J! If you’ve ever seen Alma around campers, you know that they light up with excitement when they see her. Her favorite part of camp is the kids, and Alma says she learns just as much from them as she hopes they learn from her.
Fun fact: Alma sings and plays in a Mariachi band, which visited Camp J for a special performance this summer!
Watch Alma’s “day in the life” here!
Sabrina Wexler | Youth Sports Coach
Hey, I’m Sabrina! I am 16 years old and about to be a junior at University High School. I am a student athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, and swimming! I started playing basketball here at the J when I was 5 years old in the youth league and have continued playing ever since. The youth league provided me with a great foundation for my athletics and love for sports in general.
I started working here at the J last summer and have enjoyed working in the gym with the kids, coaching basketball, and making bonds. I am excited to continue having fun, meeting people, and spending my time here at the J!
Adina + Jillian | Camp J Staff
Pictured here are Adina, our Camp J Nisayon Coordinator, and Jillian, a first-year Camp J counselor… who was once one of Adina’s campers!
Adina spent her childhood summers as a Camp J camper, her teenage years as a counselor, and now, as a teacher at THA, she has continued to spend her summers at the J overseeing Nisayon, a counselor-in-training program for 9th and 10th graders.
Over the years, Adina has made countless memories with both campers and counselors, including Jillian. This summer, Jillian returned to Camp J as a first-year counselor, working with the youngest campers in Noar.
Markel Butcher | Personal Trainer
Q: What inspired you to become a personal trainer?
A: I decided to become a personal trainer because I’ve always been drawn to the discipline, work ethic, and commitment it takes to build the body and lifestyle you want. As a former Division I athlete at the University of Arizona, I experienced a wide range of training styles and developed a passion for living strong and staying healthy. I also genuinely enjoy motivating others, whether they’re striving to reach their peak athletic performance or just working to stay fit and unlock their full potential.
Q: How do you assess progress when it comes to your clients?
A: I design personalized programs tailored to each client’s individual goals and needs. For strength clients, we typically start with a 6-week hypertrophy phase focused on building muscle and increasing overall strength. Following that, we move into an intensification phase to assess progress and evaluate growth.
Q: What does your personal fitness routine look like?
A: My personal training style blends elements of bodybuilding with high-intensity interval training to help maintain an athletic frame. I also incorporate outdoor workouts focused on calisthenics training and plenty of functional movement. I throw in some cardio time to time… but I do need more!
