DSP to HR
Erin’s Echoing Hills Story
I moved to the Warsaw area in 2010 after getting married. One Saturday evening in 2011, my husband and I passed by Echoing Hills while on a motorcycle ride. We drove around the parking lot and by Cross Hill. When I saw the beauty of the area, with the sun setting behind the cross, it moved me so much. I learned more about Echoing Hills and the rich history of the organization. I felt a strong pull toward the ministry. I had worked my whole life for large corporations, dressing up in corporate casual clothing and taking 90-minute “networking” lunches; however, I always felt like I was helping no one and doing nothing that ultimately made a difference in the world. The next day at church, I found out the Program Director for Echoing Hills’ Residential Center was there. I found her and told her I wanted to apply. She said that the only open position was for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and pointed out that there would be a considerable pay decrease based on my salary at the time. That didn’t deter me at all. Three weeks later, I began working as a DSP.
Working as a DSP immediately gave me such renewed purpose and perspective. It was also physically and emotionally the most challenging job I had ever had. I worked three days a week, every other weekend, and drove the individuals I served to church. I loved being able to do that. I also loved getting to the point where I knew each of the individuals and their needs without them needing to explain them to me. Working directly with individuals with disabilities was unforgettable. I saw people struggle daily to complete tasks that I do without even thinking. But, the positivity within them despite their disabilities was humbling. Experiencing this changed how I handle situations and how I view the struggles in my own life.
In the first month that I worked as a DSP, my co-workers seemed a little guarded. I grew to understand that these were faithful employees. They had been there for years and loved Echoing Hills and the Individuals living there. They had seen so many people come and go. Over time, I found these employees to be a wealth of knowledge and people I still deeply respect. I witnessed them giving of themselves in ways that greatly surpassed the expectations detailed in their job descriptions. They seemed more like family members caring for their loved ones rather than employees. My favorite example of this is when an employee was scheduled to take an individual, Chris, on an outing to his family’s Christmas party. This was a big event, and each person coming was supposed to bring something to eat since it was a potluck. I happened to walk by Chris’ room when I heard the employee ask him what he planned to bring to the potluck. I thought Chris would say chips or a 2 liter of pop, but instead said pasta salad and a homemade pie. Chris was not able to cook at the time. He didn’t have the means to make either of these things. Despite this, I heard the employee say, “Those both sound so good, those are good choices.” I found out later that the employee went home that night and made both of these things homemade, specifically as Chris described, and she and Chris brought them to the party. I will never forget that story. She was simply scheduled to work that day; however, she went above and beyond so that Chris could feel just like everyone else attending the party and wouldn’t feel different or out of place.
After three months, I began working as the Residential Care Coordinator (scheduler). I scheduled all staff, medical appointments, outings, and vehicles. I loved this position as well, but having previously worked as a DSP, I had an understanding I never would have had. That experience was invaluable. I was able to prioritize staffing needs and the importance of staff taking time off to recharge, based on the struggles I witnessed some of the individuals facing and knowing how hard DSPs worked. I went on to work as the Administrative Assistant for the Residential Center. In this position, I handled the banking transactions for the people living at the Residential Center. I audited all of their expenditures. This was another way for me to see into their lives in an intimate way. Echoing Hills truly does step back and make it possible for them to live their lives based on how they want to live them. If someone wants to spend their money on Barbie dolls, that’s what they do. If someone wants to save almost all of their money, that’s what they do. Person-Centered Care is a consistent mindset and practice of the organization.
After working in that role for four years, I moved into the position of Human Resources Coordinator. This change led to my current role, HR Generalist at the Corporate Office. In the past few years, working in HR, it’s clear to me that taking care of the employees who work for Echoing Hills is important to the organization. Echoing Hills ensures that employees are compensated fairly, offers many valuable benefits, and job advancement is possible – I’m a great example of this one! Each position has shown me a bigger picture of how the organization operates. I have found it exciting and rewarding to work for a company whose top priority and focus are squarely on loving and serving individuals with disabilities.
