04/17/2026
𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗡𝗞
When Dionna West talks about her work at Stitched INK, she does not start with job titles or tasks. Instead, she talks about people.
“I like that it’s a small team,” she says. “It feels more like a close-knit community where everyone knows each other.”
That sense of connection has become one of the most meaningful parts of her role as a Production Coordinator I at Stitched INK, where she has worked for the past year. But Dionna’s path to finding that role was anything but straightforward.
In 2024, Dionna found herself at a professional crossroads when her previous position of three years ended suddenly. Like many job seekers navigating a rapidly changing workforce, she faced a challenging transition period.
Rather than facing it alone, she reconnected with ACCES-VR and The Arc of Allegany-Steuben for employment support. Through that process, she began working with Employment Advisor Julie Lenhardt, who helped her explore new opportunities that aligned with her strengths.
It was through that connection that Dionna first heard about potential openings at Stitched INK’s production department. Her background in data entry and computer work quickly stood out as a strong match.
After meeting the production team, shadowing staff, and observing daily operations, Dionna began to see where she fit in.
“I definitely felt that my skillset was a good fit,” she said.
Today, Dionna’s work sits at the intersection of organization, communication, and production support. Her responsibilities include processing incoming orders from local customers, NYSID programs, and the Order My Gear online store.
She also manages several critical behind-the-scenes tasks that keep operations running smoothly. This includes entering tracking numbers for daily shipments, confirming proof of delivery, and scanning documentation for production records.
A typical day begins with structure and focus. Dionna checks emails for new NYSID orders and reviews the Order My Gear system for incoming jobs. From there, she prioritizes urgent orders that need immediate attention.
If order intake is caught up, she shifts to tracking shipments, confirming delivered packages, and organizing documentation to ensure records remain accurate and complete.
It is detail-oriented work, but Dionna takes pride in its purpose.
“Knowing that what I do helps make things easier for others involved in the process is a good reason to push myself,” she explained. “It helps people focus more on their important work.”
For Dionna, the work environment at Stitched INK plays a major role in her job satisfaction. She describes her team as steady, supportive, and dependable.
“A team of dedicated, hard-working, kind, and wonderful people who put in their best on a regular basis,” she said.
Even during high-demand periods or when urgent orders come in, Dionna appreciates that the workflow remains organized and manageable. That structure, combined with a supportive team culture, has helped her grow more confident in her role over time.
Outside of her daily responsibilities, Dionna’s background reveals a different side of her story. She attended Corning Community College and Mansfield University, where she studied Chemical Technology and Environmental Biology.
It is a path that reflects a deep curiosity about science and the environment, even if her current career has taken her in a different direction.
When she is not at work, Dionna enjoys simple but meaningful ways of unwinding. She often spends time playing games and catching up with friends, especially in the evenings when schedules align.
She also hopes to spend more time outdoors as the weather improves, with plans to explore her local area and incorporate more walking and light exercise into her routine.
Creativity is another important outlet. Dionna enjoys baking and experimenting with new recipes, often sharing her homemade treats with friends, family, and coworkers.
“That’s been a big part of why I continue to bake,” she said. “People really do like them.”
As she looks to the year ahead, Dionna is focused on growth, exploration, and trying new experiences both personally and professionally.
“I’m excited to try more new things in general,” she said, from new foods to more ambitious baking projects.
For Dionna, progress is not just about career advancement. It is about learning, contributing, and continuing to build a life filled with curiosity, connection, and purpose.
At Stitched INK, she has found more than a job. She has found a place where her skills are valued, her work matters, and her presence is part of something bigger than a daily checklist of tasks.
And for Dionna, that makes all the difference.
