"When you come to work with a positive attitude, it makes all the difference."
Name: Datarnaijah
Role: Direct Support Professional, REM Community Services, Iowa
Tenure: 4 Years
Role: Direct Support Professional, REM Community Services, Iowa
Tenure: 4 Years
What brought you to a caregiving role?
I always felt like I was put on earth to take care of people. When I was 10 or eleven, I used to help take care of my grandma. So I knew, once I get older, I wanted to take care of people. It’s my purpose.
I love working with people with disabilities, I just love taking care of them.
I always felt like I was put on earth to take care of people. When I was 10 or eleven, I used to help take care of my grandma. So I knew, once I get older, I wanted to take care of people. It’s my purpose.
I love working with people with disabilities, I just love taking care of them.
How do you put your personal thumbprint on the work you do and the individuals you serve?
When I come in all bubbly, with a positive attitude, it makes them happy. It sets their expectations that we’re going to have a good day because Tutu is here and she's happy. They call me Tutu. So it just makes the shifts go well. I feel like when caregivers come in with an attitude, and it makes the individuals we serve behave differently. Like, they might have to worry, “Oh, is this person going to yell at me?” Or, “Am I going to have a good day?”
When I come in all bubbly, with a positive attitude, it makes them happy. It sets their expectations that we’re going to have a good day because Tutu is here and she's happy. They call me Tutu. So it just makes the shifts go well. I feel like when caregivers come in with an attitude, and it makes the individuals we serve behave differently. Like, they might have to worry, “Oh, is this person going to yell at me?” Or, “Am I going to have a good day?”
"A good caregiver is someone who wants to take care of the individuals you serve like
they're you're family. Show them that same love."
they're you're family. Show them that same love."
Tell us a bit about the individuals you work with.
I work with sex offenders who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. I treat them like family, normal people. I have pretty good, easy guys. They're very independent, so I help them in the kitchen cooking, and if they need help with washing clothes, or cleaning the house. I also take them to their doctor's appointments and out to do things in the community. When I'm driving my guys around, we listen to music and we're all singing together.
I've been here four years, a couple of different locations. I just love working with my individuals and I love going to different houses of ours to help those individuals who may have different disabilities than those I typically serve.
How would you describe Sevita's culture for employees?
Sevita is a good place to work. They're very flexible. They're big on communication. If something happens at home that prevents you from coming in they’ll make sure your shift gets covered and check on you.
Is there a fun fact you can share about yourself that most people may not know?
I love to go on nature walks, especially in the summer with my son. I put him in a stroller and just take a long walk in the nature.