Theresa
It wasn't a book or class that influenced Theresa to take a job in the human services field. Instead, it was a close family member's stories.
"I had a cousin who worked in a residential facility for people with disabilities, and she loved it," says Theresa.
Theresa holds a Supports Staff position at Woodstone, one of Community Living's residential facilities for women. She was the Residential Manager of Woodstone, but decided to step down to have more time to go to school. She came to Community Living after working as a manager of a residential facility for another agency.
"Theresa just has a great attitude," says Leann Clement, director of Residential Services. "She has a wonderful sense of humor. The ladies and the staff at Woodstone really like her."
Theresa works third shift at Woodstone. Her duties include overnight supervision, helping the ladies with getting ready for bed and preparing for their daily activities in the morning, and helping with cleaning and other household responsibilities.
Theresa knew she was going to stay at Woodstone while going to school. "I love the ladies here!" she says. "I couldn't go anywhere else." Theresa is also taking part in the agency's tuition reimbursement program to help with the cost of school. "It's great that it's offered. Not many places offer tuition reimbursement," she says.
Theresa feels that the size of Community Living's residential facilities and the agency's organizational structure helps managers and staff better serve the residents. Only four to five residents live in a facility, which creates a comfortable home for them and allows staff to spend quality time with the residents. "Community Living also appreciates its direct support staff," says Theresa. "The agency requires managers to participate in direct care with the residents, so they are very involved with both the residents and the direct support staff."
During her downtime, Theresa enjoys playing with her Shi-Tzu's, Coco and Gypsy, and spending time with her mom.
Erin
Erin is set to make her mark on the world. A graduate of the nursing program at Maryville University, Erin started both her program in nursing and her position as a Direct Support Staff employee at Community Living's Respite Care Home in the same year. Community Living’s tuition reimbursement program helped her with the costs of school.
"I went into nursing because I like helping people, and I thought it would be a good field," says Erin.
Pam Keys, manager of Respite Services, sees on a regular basis how much Erin enjoys helping others. "She is a born leader," says Keys. "She is great with our clients. She treats them with so much respect. I just have so much confidence in her and her abilities."
Erin, who was once in a support staff position, now works at the Respite Care Home as a Registered Nurse (RN). At the facility, she helps with the cooking and cleaning and helps the participants with physical therapy and other daily activities. She enjoys playing football with the boys, reading to the women, and taking participants on day trips in the community.
Erin feels that her experience at the Respite Care Home has helped better prepare her for a nursing career. "I've learned a lot about compassion and working with people with developmental disabilities at the Respite Care Home. Some of my practicum supervisors even turned to me when we have a patient with a disability," says Erin.
Other than the hands-on experience, Erin has gained a sense of purpose and built relationships at the Respite Care Home. "I love the people that I work with. We're like a big family," says Erin. "I'm also an active person, and I like having a job where I'm making a difference."
Erin is currently a graduate assistant at Maryville University and pursuing her MS in nursing. Her ultimate goal is to become a professor of nursing, but in the process, she plans on working at the Respite Care Home as much as her schedule will allow.
"I love it here too much," says Erin. "I don't think I could leave it!"
In her downtime, Erin makes and sells her own line of custom-designed jewelry and leads a group of people in their 20's at Grace Church St. Louis.