Our DSP this week is Nadia. She has been with Living Well for five months, and found a place that is a great fit for her personality and tender heart with this job. She spent much of her career in another field and was referred to us by Rose who works at our Southcrest home. Rose knew Nadia was a people person at heart and encouraged her to apply as this is a place where people are at the heart of the mission.
Lucky for us Nadia now spends her days at our France home and is loving the career change.
Program Manager, Brenda Carillo, says, “Nadia is always nice and caring when it comes to the folks at France. She is wonderful with the clients, and they always look so pleased when she is around. Nadia often takes people outside to enjoy the weather and listen to the birds while enjoying time on the front patio.” Adding, “Nadia also has been helping out at France with filling shifts and coming in early at times, she is all around a wonderful person to work with and to be around. Thank you for being awesome, Nadia!”
Employees like Nadia are the reason why Living Well is known as a place where care goes above and beyond the basics. We adore her dedication and appreciate the hard work.
Thank you to everyone who chooses to make a career out of caring. Congrats, Nadia, you make lives better! Thank you for all your work, we appreciate you.
ABOUT NADIA
Number of years/months with Living Well: 4 months
Hobbies/Interests: Community involvement is important to me. I help serve food at a shelter and participate in a program for library clean up in Coon Rapids for Hennepin County. I also love to travel and visit family in Togo West Africa, when possible. I also like trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, and parts of Georgia to visit family.
Education: I graduated high school in Africa and moved to the United States 11 years ago.
Job Experience/History: I was in nursing school in Georgia but did not renew my license here. I worked in welding, assembly, manufacturing and electrical in Minnesota for six years. Then I decided to change it up and move into health services.
Favorite or craziest work story: I love to dance with clients. They love the Milkshake dance, so we dance. We play music throughout the day and have fun.
What is your motivation for coming to work: I like helping people. When I wake up and feel a little lazy as soon as I think—if am not there who would help them—it gives me the strength to come in and help them. It is important to me to be helpful.
What made you apply: I was referred by my friend Rose, who I worked with at another company in a different industry. She now works at the Southcrest home, and told me, “Nadia you are people person, this will be a good fit for you.” So, I applied, and love it! I wanted to help people achieve goals and be of service to the mission. I really like the living well mission!
What makes you stay: The encouragement and recognition are nice. The staff and the people make me want to stay.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: I believe my company gives opportunities to refine skills, and I get to learn from experienced professionals. I tell people I am learning something that can help in the future as I help care for my mom. I have experience now that can really help family and others.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: I like to watch TV and go to movies, the new Mission Impossible was a recent favorite. I love music and am a huge fan of King Mensah, a popular Togolese singer. The other day I jumped on a trampoline with my kids in the yard—that was fun. With two kids and a young cousin at home, ages 2, 9, and 14, we stay busy.
Do you volunteer in your community or school: Occasionally I volunteer at my children’s school, but admittedly do not have much time for volunteer work.
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 for sponsorship opportunities.