Employee of the Month – August 2023
August 1, 2023
Patricia Hardin was selected as Homeward Bound’s August Employee of the Month for her excellent care and support of those who call June home!
Nicole, Operations Administrator, told us Patricia really knows her people. Recently, she threw Lonnie a great birthday party with food from Famous Dave’s (Lonnie’s favorite) and invited everyone from Lake Drive and Lee to join them in celebrating his birthday. Patricia also knows her staff well and treats them like family. She is a great advocate for both the people she serves and the people she supervises. She has a great relationship with the guardians. She is not afraid to ruffle feathers in a professional manner if it will help the people she supports. When there is a holiday to celebrate, Patricia always makes sure there is food and fun activities prepped and ready even if she is not working on those days.
Her team members told us that Patricia treats everyone with respect. She is very welcoming and super supportive. One of them, as a new member, said that Patricia took her under her wing and even though she had just started, Patricia made her feel like she had been a part of the team for a long time.
Patricia has worked in this field for the last 30 years and started at Homeward Bound in June of 2008. She started as a DSP at June house then moved to a PRN position, a position that had her scheduled at several different locations. As a PRN, when she was scheduled at June, Simon would ask her when she was coming back. She really missed working with her ‘guys’ at June so she transferred back and has been there ever since. Patricia considers June house her home away from home.
When asked what makes this job fun, Patricia said it is fun going places. They go to casinos, the Made in the Shade event, and trips to North Dakota with Simon to see his family. She said it is also fun to cook and eat together. Her team makes it fun too. They celebrate birthdays and feel like a big family.
Patricia’s advice to anyone new to working with people with disabilities is to treat people how you want to be treated. Be good to your staff and make them feel appreciated. Be good to people. Thank them for everything they do. Patricia said, “I wouldn’t trade it [the job]. I love them [the people she supports] and they love me. It gives me joy in life. I am blessed.”
Thank you, Patricia!
Patricia received a $1000 bonus and is a candidate for the 2023 Employee of the Year Award!
Homeward Bound’s Employee of the Month Program started in January 2023 by popular demand from staff who shared ideas and concerns with HBI management at town hall meetings in Fall 2022. The selection process is done via blind voting to ensure that the winner is selected only for the exceptional life-enriching care they provide to people.
