Employee of the Month – May 2025
June 30, 2025
We are thrilled to recognize Joan Jeruto as our Employee of the Month for May 2025! Joan serves at our 82nd House location and consistently shows the compassion, dedication, and excellence that define our mission.
A Visit That Left a Lasting Impression
During a recent visit to the 82nd House, our IT Manager saw Joan in action and was deeply moved by her approach to care.
“I was greeted warmly by the staff and got to work on the computers, but what truly stood out was the interaction between staff and residents. Joan, in particular, was exceptional. She spoke with individuals at their level, stayed engaged, and handled her responsibilities with seamless grace—sweeping floors, doing laundry, and maintaining meaningful conversation with residents all at once. Her energy, compassion, and commitment were evident in everything she did. Joan is someone every employee in our homes could strive to emulate.”
A Career Rooted in Compassion
Before joining Homeward Bound, Joan worked with a nonprofit supporting children with hearing challenges. She also served as a patient advocate and personal care assistant (PCA). These roles helped her build a strong foundation in compassion and advocacy.
Joan joined Homeward Bound thanks to a recommendation from Wycklif Ogoti, who spoke highly of our organization. Although she had no prior experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, Joan stepped into the role with confidence and quickly fell in love with the work, the people, and her team.
“I was a little nervous at first,” she shared. “But I’ve grown to truly love working with the individuals and my colleagues.”
Advice from Joan
Joan offers simple but powerful advice to others in the field:
“Do your best—and always bring a smile through the door.”
Thank You, Joan
Joan’s positive spirit, strong work ethic, and sincere care make her a standout team member. She shows us all how impactful compassionate care can be.
Congratulations, Joan! Your dedication inspires us every day.
Employee of the Month Program
Each Employee of the Month receives a $1000 bonus and is entered into the Employee of the Year contest. The Employee of the Year is announced at the annual Employee Anniversary Dinner in June of the following year and the winner receives a $1500 bonus and a trophy. Anyone can nominate an HBI employee for Employee of the Month, or you can nominate yourself! Contact Kathleen Prouty, HR Manager, at kprouty@hbimn.org for a Nomination Form.
