Tell me about yourself
Hi, I’m Josie and I live with my boyfriend, Braden, and our dog, Koda. I actually rescued Koda from a shelter and after we took him home, we realized that we are birthday twins so now we celebrate our birthdays together every year! I live in Lilly right now but hope to move back to Somerset County after my boyfriend finishes school at Mount Aloysius so we’re closer to family and friends. In my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, and reading. I also have a love for photography and have my own little, side photography business that I hope to continue to grow. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family as well.
What drew you to the CHW position in the first place?
My mom Christy, who also works for the company, has been a CHW for 4 years now. I was really interested in the work that she was doing and the difference she was making in people’s lives. I’ve always had a passion for helping people. I have worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities before and have volunteered through my church and with Camp PARC so, when this position opened, I felt a calling to apply so that I could help more people and I’m very happy I did.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CHW so far?
I would have to say the most rewarding part of being a CHW so far has been seeing people that I’ve helped meet their goals and seeing positive change in these individuals. It’s also really rewarding to build trust with a client and see them become more open and comfortable over time and more independent.
If you could help people understand one thing about the participants you’re working with, what would it be?
If I could help people understand one thing about the participants, I’m working with it would be that these individuals usually have a lot of barriers in their life and sometimes, as a CHW, I might be the only person that they have in their life to be that positive support system. A lot of the time these individuals go through things that most people couldn’t even fathom. I think it’s important to not judge, keep and open mind, and be kind.
What has been the most challenging/difficult part of being a CHW so far?
The most challenging part of being a CHW so far has been finding ways to cope with the trauma and stress that my participants go through. A lot of my participants have been through a lot of heartbreaking situations that weigh heavily on my mind, but I have learned ways to deal with this now. It’s also really difficult when participants don’t answer you or don’t work on their goals, but I just try to remind myself to be patient, meet them where they are, and that they might be dealing with something they don’t want to share with you or aren’t ready to share.