“Are you a displaced worker? A position in direct care could be the first step into a career that is stable, rewarding, humane, meets a growing need and can never be shipped overseas,” writes DCA board member Judith Clinco in the April 9 issue of the Arizona Daily Star.
In her guest editorial, Clinco urges laid-off workers to consider direct care as a career – assuming they’re cut out for it. “Direct care is not a good fit for every worker, by any means,” she writes. “Consider it a calling-the best direct-care workers have an affinity for people who are elderly or have a disability. They are compassionate. They feel they are meant to serve.”
I am living proof. I only became a direct care worker because I needed a job 12 1/2 years ago. I feel in love with the job and am still here. This work gives the worker so much if you take the time to do it right. Our elders can teach us so much. I now am spreading my wings and advocating for better pay, affordable benifits and more respect for this profession.