Our DSP this week is Brenda. She has been at our France home for a few years now, and in addition to being reliable and trustworthy, she is also very kind and patient. She is always willing to show up to company events, run errands, or get out of the house, making sure the people she supports are out and about in the community and having fun.
Program Manager, Chris Peterson, says, “When it comes to the administrative part of the job, Brenda is very organized and always willing to take on more or learn something new. Brenda is great with the people served and she has a gentleness and attention to detail that makes the care she provides exceptional.” He adds, “She makes people’s faces light up simply by walking through the door.”
And if that wasn’t enough to show just how awesome she is, he reports that a family member recently told him, “Brenda is kind, patient, and really cares. She is a gem.” We agree, Brenda is a total gem! Her favorite moment at work was watching a coworker dress up as Santa to bring a little magic to the house over the holidays. The whole team goes above and beyond the job description.
How far above and beyond—she recently accepted a promotion and will be the new Program Manager at the house starting next week. Brenda, France is lucky to have you. Thank you for making a career out of caring. Thank you for treating the people you support with kindness, and their families with tenderness. You bring so much joy to the profession and we cannot do it without you. Your natural born desire to care for others is obvious to all who get to work with you.
Congrats, Brenda, we appreciate you!
ABOUT BRENDA
Number of years/months with Living Well: 2 years 10 months
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading books, listening to music, and spending time with my wife.
Education: In 2012 graduated from San Joaquin valley college in California with Associates of Science in Medical Assisting.
Job Experience/History: I worked in California as a medical assistant, a drug tester and translator for five years then worked at a urgent care before I moved to Minnesota where I worked as a caregiver with different companies until I found Living Well.
Favorite part of the job: My favorite part of the job is getting to wake up one of the people at the house and them saying “good morning mana, hug mana.“
Favorite or craziest work story: Christmas 2021 when our APM dressed up as Santa Claus. Everyone’s faces lit up and they were calling out for Santa wanting hugs and pictures with him. The pure expression of excitement on their faces is definitely one of my favorite work memories.
What is your motivation for coming to work: My older brother has a rare joint disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita that doesn’t allow him to do specific things by himself, so I was always there offering to help. I naturally developed a love for helping other people because of my brother.
What made you apply: What made me apply was the hours offered and the pay.
What made you stay: My love for helping others.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: Living Well is an awesome company that cares for their clients and goes above and beyond for everyone served.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: When I’m not at work I spend time with my wife and fur babies. Going outside and strolling through the wonderful parks and scenery. I also love looking at the beautiful birds and different animals and wildlife Minnesota has to offer.
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 Devan Heinsen at devan.heinsen@livingwell.org for sponsorship opportunities.