MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES GIVES PURPOSE by Lin Curran, Director of Program Operations
M
ichelle Hartmann became a member of the Northeast Residence (NER) team on April 4, 1995. She had been working part-time as a CNA and found it rewarding, but she was looking for more. She saw an ad in a local newspaper and thought she would give it a try. Michelle was hired and started at the Arcade home as a direct support professional. In 1999, she was promoted to the lead direct-support professional. Currently, Michelle is the Program Manager at the Hale home and has worked there since 2008. Michelle works extremely well independently as she is focused and very self-motived. She equally enjoys working as a team whether it be brainstorming, tidying up another’s office, or simply bouncing ideas off each other. It is all important to her. Michelle has always been inspired by her parents, who instilled a strong work ethic in her. She learned that when you work hard you are rewarded in many ways.
“What makes me happy after a day’s work is knowing I made a difference in the life of another. Working with and for others is so much more than a job, it really gives you purpose.” said Michelle.
Michelle with her husband, Wade, at the Walk, Run, and Roll event.
Getting involved is important to Michelle. She mentors new staff members and has also been a member of the Helping Hands team and Project Committee at NER. She enjoys doing paperwork, volunteers to help others get caught or volunteers to put new books together when needed. Michelle tries to always focus on the positive. “I like to celebrate the high times at work and do not focus on the lower too much.” she says. When things get stressful Michelle reminds herself that some things are out of her control, and she works on
Michelle, at right, and the ladies who live at Hale home in Oakdale, enjoy their outdoor lawn swing.
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