Stephanie
Stephanie wasn't looking for a new job when she was the manager of a local store. Her friend Cris kept talking about how much she loved
working for Community Living and kept encouraging Stephanie to try
something new and apply for a job. After awhile, she convinced Stephanie
to apply for a Support Staff position.
The rest is history.
Stephanie moved up the ladder quickly once she started as a Support
Staff at Westminister House, one of Community Living's residential homes
for men, in April 2007. By July she moved into a Medical Support Staff
position and before Christmas she was promoted to Manager of the home.
She later transferred to the Medical Support Staff position at Westside
House, another one of Community Living's residential homes for men.
Leann Clement, director of Residential Services, is glad to have
Stephanie as a part of the Residential services team. "She has a great
sense of humor, good work ethic, and is very willing to help others when
she can," said Leann. "She has very natural and relaxed interactions
with our participants and they love her."
Stephanie loves working with the participants as much as they love
working with her. "I like the clients, and I get the biggest kick out of
watching them accomplish everyday tasks and try something new," she
said.
Like her friend, Stephanie is happy not only with her job, but with the
agency as a whole, as well. "I like the benefits, and everyone has been
very supportive, all the way up to the President/CEO," she said. "The
people are there for you."
When she's not at work, Stephanie keeps busy caring for her daughters, Mackenzie and Pieper, spending time with friends, and indulging in bingo or karaoke on the weekends.
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 Support 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 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.