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Why am I committed to working for New Horizons Center?
I have always had a special place in my heart for the developmentally disabled community. My Mom and Aunt were paraprofessionals who worked in the developmentally disabled side of my Jr. high school and my Grandma was the janitor there. I would often volunteer to help out whenever the opportunity would arise. It was instilled in me, at an early age, that everyone should have the same opportunities and rights as the next person. There are many reasons I am committed to working for New Horizons Center, but the main reason are the members. The individuals we have the pleasure to support count on us to improve the quality of their lives. The pure joy I see when they are able to accomplish a new task or goal they have set out to achieve is the best feeling in the world and brings tears of joy to my eyes. For example: the basket they have been trying to make all night and finally sank one, the fish they caught for the first time, learning to high-five after trying for years, learning to cook a new meal, adaptive water sports day, seeing that look when they walk into the pro baseball stadium and experiencing that for the first time, the sounds of excitement when they get to go up in a tethered hot air balloon ride for the first time, and most of all opening up and learning to trust and communicate in the way that works best for them all while teaching us (the staff) way more than we could ever teach them (the members) is why I am committed to New Horizons Center.
What are you professionally and personally proud of?
I am professionally proud of all that I have accomplished since joining the New Horizons Center family in 2020. Going from an overnight DSP, Lead, QA, and now Residential Coordinator has taught me a lot about different positions, that I feel have given me more knowledge across the board. Most of all I am proud of earning my Instructor certificates in Prevention and Support and Article 9, these are state mandated classes. I feel that I can reach and teach more individuals in a classroom setting, giving the students the skills and knowledge to share with others, than if I were to be working at one house with only a few staff.
Personally, I am proud of my ability to overcome my own disability and improve my own quality of life enabling me to find New Horizons Center, where I feel Ishould have been from the start. Secondly, I am proud of my two amazing children, how much they bring to this world and the love they show to all humankind.
Who are you when you are not working?
When I am not working, you can find me fishing, hiking or rockhounding around town. I also love to cook and bake. Tarantulas and spiders are a hobby of mine and we own many. I love to spend time at the dog park with my husband and our fur baby. When the opportunity arises, I love to go home to Michigan and spend time with family there, or travel around our country hitting all the historical places. I am a true-crime junkie. I love all music and concerts are one of my favorite things to do. I also enjoy all sports and try to attend as many sporting events as possible. There’s not much I do not like and I am willing to try almost anything once.