Leber at Carmen Lane with Aaron, who is new to the home and adores him!
Our DSP this week is Leber, he works as a Float, which means he works in nine homes and gets the opportunity to build relationships with many people at Living Well. Leber is a favorite among staff and people supported at our houses. He has a kind heart, and pretty much everyone who meets him wonders how we can clone him.
Cassidy Ihringer, Staffing Manager, hired Leber and says, “Leber is always willing to lend a helping hand. As a Float, Leber is trained at many homes and is loved by all of them. He has a wonderful attitude, is dependable, and can jump right. We are so lucky to have him a part of the Living Well team.”
Treasure, Leber and Alexis at the recent Employee Recognition Party.
Alexis Santana, Program Manager at Carmen Lane, says, “Leber is truly a rockstar!! Every staff member that works with him tells me how amazing and smooth the shift is when he is there. The second he walks into the house, the people we support light up and are so excited to see him. Leber is such a team player and hard worker, Carmen Lane is so incredibly thankful to have him. When he is working, you know it is going to be a great shift and that the people are going to be very well cared for. You can just so easily tell that Leber loves his job and the people he supports and every day he shows up ready to take on whatever the shift throws at him. Carmen Lane loves you Leber!!”
Leber, you are the special kind of staff that can bring together everyone because of your authenticity and kindness. Thank you for caring, we appreciate you.
ABOUT LEBER
Number of years/months with Living Well: 9 months
Hobbies/Interests: I like to listen to African and R&B music with my two-year-old son.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Liberia
Job Experience/History: Worked with Community Living Services in Fargo from 2016-21, then from 2021 -2024 at Thomas Allen Inc. in St. Paul, both as a DSP caring for others.
Favorite part of the job: Actually, I love the fun I have with the people I support. These people bring me joy at work. They are very friendly and make me laugh. When you are stressed out, they find a way to make you happy. The second thing I enjoy is meeting the objectives for what I was hired for. The daily tasks, and getting them done, makes me happy. Making sure everyone is cared for and figuring out what they need and giving them the best care, is fulfilling. Following the rules and making sure everything is done, and everyone is safe makes me happy. Meeting goals and meeting them daily, that is an important part of the job for me.
Favorite work story: I admire all the Living Well managers. They listen to people and understand staff and ask questions. When you come to work or if you can’t make it, they are proactive. All the managers I work with at the homes check in and ask if you are OK and things are going well. People I work with hold my wellbeing in high regard.
What is your motivation for coming to work: I love caring for people, so I get here in the morning excited. If we are absent from work, people could be without staff, and no one would be able to care for them. When I am scheduled, I will show up to work to happily care for the people we are hired to care for.
What made you apply: I found Living Well online through Indeed. I Googled Living Well, then read about the organization. I found out it was a Nonprofit and based on the work I do and caring for others, I just had to apply so I could be part of the team.
What makes you stay: Working for great managers. Here you are trained the right way, and they respect you. If you do something wrong, they correct you and approach you with respect. My coworkers all work together happily, it is a great environment to work in. I really admire and appreciate the company. Some companies just want you to come to work, and managers don’t even check on you. At the end of the day you get a check and a, ‘when are you coming back.’ Here the managers will always check on you. And that is great.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: I would tell them Living Well is a good place to work—a place where there is no racism, people don’t judge by color, and where you get relief because coworkers and managers are very concerned with helping people. It is a place where you can grow, and if you work hard you can step up your game.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: Once and while I will go with my wife for dinner, she loves to eat out. More often I just really like to be at work. I want to be a good Samaritan and follow the Golden Rule of do unto others as they would have you do unto them. I really love being at work caring for others.
Do you volunteer in your community or school: I volunteer at church occasionally. But not as often because I am so busy.
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.