Quality Connections

Discovering Possibility Since 1999

Quality Connections is a training center dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities overcome barriers, gain independence, and find their place in the world.

Since 1999, we have provided residential and adult day program services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as employment services for a broader population of people facing barriers to employment. Our goal is to help each person build skills, confidence, and a path toward meaningful community involvement and employment.

What began as a small employment program has grown into a multifaceted organization offering residential, in-home, and community-based services, along with supported training crews throughout the community. Every program is designed to help individuals live fuller, more independent, and more connected lives.

At Quality Connections, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their goals, and fully participate in their community.

Finding Their Voice

One of the most exciting things happening at Quality Connections right now is Diverge, our member-led media program.

Through Diverge, members are doing things many never imagined they could do. They are hosting radio shows, interviewing people, sharing music, reporting local stories, and talking about things that matter to them.

They also create Only Good News, a program focused entirely on positive stories happening in Northern Arizona. Members choose the stories, conduct interviews, and share the good things happening in their communities.

For some people, it is the first time they have ever spoken into a microphone. For others, it is the first time they have felt listened to.

One member who used to be very quiet now looks forward to coming in each week so he can work on the radio station. He loves helping choose music and recently recorded his first segment. Afterward, he told staff, “I didn’t know I could do that.”

Adventures in the Community

At Quality Connections, some of the best moments happen out in the community.

Thanks to partnerships with local businesses and organizations, members have experiences that many people take for granted. They have gone on river trips with local outfitters, work spent time at Late for the Train, participated in projects with APS, and enjoyed community cruises and outings through our GSE program.

This summer, our members will spend five days floating the San Juan River, one of the most beautiful stretches of canyon country in the Southwest. But it is more than a rafting trip. Along the way, they will camp under the stars, laugh around the fire, build real friendships, and discover new confidence.

One member had always been nervous to try new things and had never been on the river before. By the end of the trip, she was smiling, laughing with friends, and asking when she could go again.

These outings are about more than just having fun. They help people build confidence, make friends, and feel like a part of the community.

Quality Connections also creates real-world job training through two social enterprises.

QC Office remanufactures QC Toner printer cartridges, keeping waste out of landfills while creating meaningful employment opportunities.

Evergreen Academy Preschool gives adults with disabilities hands-on training in childcare while serving local children in an inclusive environment. Members gain valuable experience, confidence, and skills for future employment.

Growing Across Northern Arizona

In January 2025, Quality Connections expanded into Page, Arizona, ensuring that individuals in Page and the surrounding communities continue to receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

Today, across Flagstaff, Page, and Northern Arizona, Quality Connections is creating a community where individuals are not defined by their barriers, but by their strengths, talents, and potential

Testimonials

“There’s nobody who provides the depth and scope of services that Quality Connections does. It’s all been built on a caring, loving spirit - immediately, you are exposed to an environment that’s supportive and nurturing. It’s been an honor to work with them and see what they’ve accomplished.” - Russ Bull, retired assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, former vocational rehabilitation counselor, and one of QC’s earliest supporters.

 “We support Quality Connections because of what their team does for so many in Northern Arizona. From 6-week-old infants at Evergreen Academy Preschool to the many ways they empower adults with disabilities, from supportive group residences to an adult day program to job training and placement services. The scope of what they are doing in northern Arizona is unmatched; we've never seen anything like them. If you have never done so, please look into Quality Connections - we bet they can help someone you know.” - Brent /Therese Martin