Our DSP for this week is Bogden. He works at our Poppler home and has only been with us four months, but is already a stand out! His energy will brighten any room he enters, and everyone at Poppler loves him already. He is a natural communicator and is fluent in four languages. And now he can add nonverbal communication to his list, a skill that came to him easily.
Alex Buslee, Program Manager, says, “Once in a while we have a staff join us, who changes the whole environment in the house. Bogden does that. He brings calm and steady to Poppler every day. He is consistent, pleasant, so unbelievably competent, and most importantly—kind. When he smiles, everyone smiles, because it’s so real. SS rarely smiles at anyone, and he gets it from her daily. She’s not the only one. We are so lucky to have him be a part of our team.
Bogden, we appreciate your energy and how you entered a new profession and magically fit in from day one. Thank you for your kindness.
ABOUT BOGDEN
Number of years/months with Living Well: 4 months
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy musical instruments. I learned to play guitar in high school and learned jaw harp (which is different than a harmonica) a couple years ago, both self-taught. I also enjoy ethnic instruments, especially drums. I just really love music.
Education: I am a teacher of English and Chinese, and I have a major in foreign languages from Teacher Training University in Russia, now called Amur State University of Humanities and Pedagogy. I studied in China as well. I speak four languages fluently and can pick up others easily. I tried Navajo three years ago, because I wanted to test myself as it is a hard language to learn.
Job Experience/History: I have worked in landscaping, snow removal, teaching, and as an interpreter for 7 years. I found this job when we went to a job fair and met Jenni. My wife started first and then I joined the team.
Favorite part of the job: I guess when I see Rodney and Donazell chatting, I call them Edith and Archie, we laugh a lot. I like working with the people here. I enjoy working with Sally and enjoy her facial expressions. I learned how to communicate with the folks who are nonverbal, and I enjoy that.
Favorite or craziest work story: We went to the Capitol for Disability Services Day and that was fun. We met people from different companies and went to the rally and the senate building. I have been to the Capitol before, but I had a different experience as an advocate this time.
What is your motivation for coming to work: I would say I just feel the people here, it is hard to explain. A mother of someone I support asked me that same question the other day and I said I just feel them, and she knew what I meant. I like communicating with them, and I enjoy different ways of communication here. We all have different habits, and are alien to each other, but we get to know each other on a deeper level. The desire to work here does not come from the mind, it comes from the heart. Some people come and do their job; others come and live in the moment with them while doing the job. Having them become a part of your life changes you a lot! When you start, they change you so much and one day you realize you are a totally different person after knowing them. They are very influential. I don’t feel like I am going to work, I feel like I am going to help my friends.
What made you apply: My wife and I went to a job fair at the Community Center in Eagan, where we met Jenni, the recruiter.
What makes you stay: The house, the staff, the management, and the people who live here. The atmosphere at the house is nice. It is clean, it feels like you are at home with friends. I wake up in my house, and I go to see my friends at their house and go back home.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: I would tell them you will love it. You may hate it at first, but you will love it soon. The people here will change you, even if you don’t want to, they will.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: I like to go to museums with my kids, as a family we read books, tell stories and go hiking a lot. Travelling is great as a family. We enjoy music and movies (cartoons if they have a message).
Do you volunteer in your community or school: Not now, but we found some places where we might volunteer this summer.
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.