CLI has so many great employees--read on to learn why our employees enjoy working with us and our participants!
Carol
Carol is one of those Community Living employees that nearly everyone knows. A Support Staff in the Residential Services program since 1997, Carol came to Community Living after staying home and taking care of her kids for several years. One of her friends at her previous employer came to work for Community Living and recommended that Carol apply. Over 14 years later Carol loves her job just as much today, especially when she is able to help the residents succeed.
“I’m happy when they accomplish a goal or task,” said Carol. “I enjoy being helpful to them and teaching them how to do new things.”
Carol said it’s also her co-workers that make work enjoyable. “I like the staff that I work with. It’s a really good house – everyone gets along and chips in.”
“If I could clone Carol, I would,” said Sheila Wood, Carol’s supervisor. “She consistently goes above and beyond. She’s always dependable. She’s kinda like the 'mom' of the house – Carol’s the one that takes care of everybody and everybody looks up to her. She’s phenomenal.”
Outside of work Carol likes to spend time with her family, including her five grandchildren (all girls!) and her son and daughter.
Gerald
There are people in the world who are lucky enough to find their true calling at a young age. Gerald, Site Specialist for CLI’s Teen Club and Break Camps, is one of them.
In January 2000 while still in high school, Gerald started volunteering for Family Support Services (FSS) and immediately fell in love with the human services field. Gerald’s supervisors and the board were so impressed with his performance and work ethic that after just one month of volunteering they offered him a position as a Camp Counselor. Gerald moved up to become Site Specialist for FSS’s Break Camps and Teen Club, which are now a part of CLI after the agencies merged in 2010. In his current position, Gerald plans and organizes all Teen Club and Break Camp activities at CLI’s Family Center in O’Fallon. He works to make sure the camps run smoothly and assists with developing staff schedules. Gerald loves his position because he is able to interact with all the participants on a regular basis, and he especially enjoys helping participants who have behavioral issues work to overcome them.
“My passion is to work with the clients. I love the interaction and being out there. I love to help families. It’s so rewarding to watch the participants change over time and know that I helped them,” explains Gerald.
In May 2011, Gerald saw firsthand how his work made an impact. Over nine years ago he met a participant with a mild developmental disability and many behavioral issues. He had been asked to leave several day cares, and his parent was at a loss for what to do with him. In Teen Club and Break Camps, Gerald took extra time with him and tried different techniques to help him overcome obstacles. The once-troubled teen blossomed, graduating high school this spring with a wrestling scholarship for college.
When Gerald sees the participants thrive and when he reflects upon what he’s personally gained and learned over the years, he feels even more sure about his career decision. “I can never see myself leaving this field,” says Gerald. “The participants and their families have taught me so many life lessons.”
Gerald is finishing up his Bachelor’s degree and will start on his Master’s and Doctorate program in Counseling in the fall. He lives in Wentzville with his wife, Pamela, and his daughter, Alexa.