Our people who work in our thrift stores are the biggest inspiration. A willingness to overcome a disability and show up for a regular work shift is all they need. And they have those 100 times over.”

Philip Pajak, executive director, Nobody's Perfect

Founded as an independent nonprofit agency in 2006, Nobody’s Perfect Inc. was established to support the choices of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Recognizing people’s strengths, promoting self-reliance, enhancing confidence and building on community resources are the building blocks that Nobody’s Perfect uses to establish individuals with special needs as successful employees and entrepreneurs.

To that end, Nobody’s Perfect operates three thrift stores in the same business plaza as the organization’s day program at 18911 E. San Tan Blvd. in Queen Creek. The clerks assisting shoppers have been or are being trained to make customers’ visits both pleasant and professional.

Philip Pajak is executive director of the organization and touts how Nobody’s Perfect is a perfect neighbor to have.

Name: Philip Pajak, executive director of Nobody’s Perfect Inc., established in January 2006 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We will be celebrated our 15-year anniversary on Jan. 9.

Town/neighborhood: Queen Creek between Power and Sossaman roads.

What I do: Our goal is to provide vocationally based support for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2010, we proceeded with plans to extend farther out into the community. That is how we landed our Day Training Program and Work Center in Queen Creek in September of that year. We leased three suites and with 100% of our own funds, completed the build out of our current home at 18911 E. San Tan Blvd.

Our thrift store was established at the same location later in 2011 as a response to the decision not to do any more yearly rummage sales as a fundraiser. We still had many of our supporters who wanted to continue to donate items, so the thrift store gave us a venue to sell them and again “put more people to work.” We added additional space to the thrift store in 2012. Today, in three separate suites, our thrift stores in Queen Creek employ 12 Group Supported Employment workers daily with a support staff of six. The community response has been wonderful. We have regular customers who purchase and donate items and appreciate exactly what our purpose is because they are telling their friends.

What I like most about what I do: Speaking for our constituents, I know they enjoy having purpose and the opportunity to do real work for real pay. They also enjoy the fellowship of their peers along with our regular customers who not just purchase and donate items but visit and have conversations. We have had regular customers visiting us since we moved in.

Changes I'd like to see in this area: The changes I would like to see are already taking place in the area with the widening and modernization of Riggs Road, Chandler Heights Road and Power Road. Hopefully San Tan Boulevard with get some TLC soon, too. There is a lot a water that collects on the road when there is a heavy rain.

Favorite community cause & why: Of course, our favorite cause is our own. We are a qualified charitable organization, which means cash donations to Nobody’s Perfect qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit allowing you a credit on your Arizona income tax. Our hope is that this organization can carry on into the future and give others with the same special needs an opportunity to succeed and gain personal independence as several who have left the program have done

Our family: Our family here is huge. As executive director, I feel like all these folks are my sons and daughters and sisters and brothers. I know they all feel the same way about each other. It’s only for eight hours a day, but we work together, eat together, laugh and learn together.

Our interests and hobbies: We share a lot of interests and hobbies with each other such as sports, movies, music, arts and crafts and trips to various places in the community like the parks and the Queen Creek Library. A few enjoy taking care of their pets, carpentry, collecting coins, cooking and camping.

The trait(s) I admire in others: Showing up, working hard and having fun.

People who inspired us (and how): Our people who work in our thrift stores are the biggest inspiration. A willingness to overcome a disability and show up for a regular work shift is all they need. And they have those 100 times over.

Our guiding philosophy: Recognizing people’s strengths, promoting self-reliance, enhancing confidence, and building on community resources are the building blocks that Nobody’s Perfect Inc. utilizes to establish individuals with special needs as successful employees and entrepreneurs.