Our DSP for this week is Ben. He works at our Lyndale home and has been with Living Well for six months now. He fit right in when he started and is an incredible part of the team.
Florence Leykin, Program Manager, says, “Ben is everything you want in a DSP. When I need help, he is always willing to pitch in, and when we are short staffed, he is there to pick-up shifts. Ben is really good with the people who live at Lyndale and has patience which comes in handy at times.”
Ben, we appreciate your hard work and genuine personality. Thank you for joining the team at Lyndale.
ABOUT BEN
Number of years/months with Living Well: 6 months
Hobbies/Interests: I love working with people that need my help. So, I am always around children and adults with disabilities. Many of my friends have been children because they will tell you exactly how they feel about something.
Education: I am a December 2016 graduate of the University of Liberia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a minor in Demography in the Republic of Liberia.
Job Experience/History: I have worked as Bank Teller at Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) January 2024 to May 2024. I also worked as Enumerator, COVID19 Household Food Supply Program for Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo Information Services July to September of 2020. Interviewer/Enumerator, Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo Information Services 2019 to 2020. And Loan Officer with Access Bank Liberia, January 2017 to May 2017. And Liberia Group of 77th Disable. February 2011 to Feb 2016.
Favorite part of the job: My favorite part of the job is helping people meet their potential and advocating for people that cannot always advocate for themselves.
Favorite work story: The day that someone at the house said only I should serve her night medications and I already ordered Uber to carry me home. I cancelled my ride and waited for an additional hour to leave.
What is your motivation for coming to work: My motivation for coming to work is for the most part the people I serve, and sometimes my coworkers. I am motivated to come to work because I love helping and advocating for people that have disabilities and cannot do those things for themselves.
What made you apply: I applied because I read the company profile, and I was attracted to human services.
What makes you stay: I decided to stay because I was able to see and experience what I read about the company.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: I could tell people interested in joining the team that the team is unique and highly involved in human services. The people who are served and the people who serve are of importance to the organization. Their well-being is of primary importance.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: When I am not at work, I spend the day at home with family and sometimes call back home to Liberia to talk with people that I served with disabilities back home. They are so happy to hear from me and we share some memories and have fun. When I serve people, I treat them like my family.
Do you volunteer in your community or school: I volunteered in my community in Liberia when I opened a study class for school kids free of charge before I left for the US.
Want to nominate a DSP? Please email jessica.maurer@livingwell.org to nominate a Living Well DSP. Special thanks to Miles and Cheri Cohen for their support of DSP of Week. Want to join them in underwriting our DSP Shoutout Program? Please contact Jamee Yung for sponsorship opportunities.