It is with a sad heart that we write these words about Joyce Gagnon, a founder of the Maine Personal Assistance Services Association and one of the most tireless and committed direct care leaders we’ve ever known. Joyce passed away on June 14, 2010, after a long bout with cancer.
Joyce was a strong and tenacious advocate for direct care workers in Maine. She worked tirelessly building the Maine Personal Assistance Services Association (PASA), Maine’s association for direct care workers of all kinds. Joyce worked on PASA’s annual conventions, lobbying at the State House, PASA’s fundraising and membership recruitment. Her hard work and sacrifice made it possible for DCA to develop a powerful model for state-based worker associations and worker-led advocacy.
Just this past year, Joyce was an active member of the Direct Care Worker Taskforce, a group set up through Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services to address many of the problems the workforce faces.
Joyce also had and hand in crafting legislation, twice, trying to bring health insurance to Maine’s direct care workers. She met and talked with many leaders in the Maine Legislature about what it is like to be a caregiver, helping someone maintain their independence in their home, and not have health coverage themselves through their work.
Because of Joyce, Maine PASA became a member of the Kennebec Valley Organization. KVO took on direct care worker issues after it was learned through many round tables with members that many elders wish to remain home, but because of the issues surrounding the workforce, found it hard to get home care.
Joyce was also involved with Alpha One workers forming a union. At the time the workers unionized, their wage was $7.71 per hour. Joyce gave the union its name, Local 771, from that wage. Shortly after the union was approved by Governor Baldacci, Joyce lost the fellow she was caring for. She remained active in the union as long as she could, but then stepped down because she was no longer employed through Alpha One.
We are so thankful to Joyce for going above and beyond the direct care call of duty. She volunteered untold hours, organized dozens of meetings, made thousands of calls, and – in a true representation of her kindness and character – even baked and donated cakes and food for dozens of meetings. Her efforts ensured that Maine created a model for the Direct Care Alliance’s concept of worker-led state associations.
Joyce was the soul of Maine’s direct care worker movement we can only hope live up to her commitment to improving wages, health care and the status of the workforce. Not only was she a strong advocate, but she was a great friend. We will miss her smile, wit and passion. Please feel free to share your comments and memories here on the blog.
- Helen Hanson, Roy Gedat & Leonila Vega
As someone who had the privilege to work with Joyce in my capacity at Alpha One, as well as a part of various direct care worker stakeholder groups, her leadership will truly be missed. She understood the value of relationships — between workers, between workers and consumers, and with policy-makers. She was always an eloquent and straightforward spokesperson for what she thought was right and just. It was about common sense for her — the answers and approaches were not complicated — they were just the right thing to do. Everyone associated with home based care and direct care workers in Maine will miss Joyce.
I am so very sad to hear of Joyce’s passing. Joyce and I have remained e-mail friends since the very first PASA Conference we attended in Florida. Joyce continuously encouraged me not to loose hope that something would happen to make needed changes in this healthcare work field. Joyce worked with home care and I worked in larger assisted living facilities. I asked her where she found her energy to do all that she did and she just smiled and said I don’t know but it is what I want to do. Maybe when you are retired you will be able to do what you want to do. I didn’t like the politics. Joyce would just laugh and say it is part of the changlenge. In my eyes Joyce will still be doing her work to gain fairness for the workers in the healthcare field no matter where she is. That is who Joyce is. We have lost a great leader and advocate.
I did not have the joy and privilege of knowing or working with Joyc3e Gagnon, but my thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and coworkers. As a Direct Support Professional in Maine, I would love to learn more about her work and those who are devoted to carrying on in her absence. At times Direct Care and Direct Support have clashed. I believe now, more than ever, it is imperative to come together as a common workforce. Could someone please share information on who to contact to get involved with continuing the essential advocacy to which Joyce devoted so much.
Hi Everyone, I am saddened to hear we have lost another committed soul who dared to keep the light shining on Direct Care Workers. Though I have never met Joyce, It does seem as if we have met in the spirit of focus on DCW’s. I am sure her work will be greatly missed, But we all should learn from the important work she has done and move forward with a more than ever determination to get the changes in Health Care that we all desire.
It is with deep sympathy that I send this note..
God Bless you.
Lorrene Maynard
Virginia Association of Professional Nursing Assistants’ Inc.
I am truly saddened to learn that Joyce has passed away. She was a remarkable and inspirational woman whom I knew through my brief association with Maine PASA. My heart goes out to her friends and family. Her dedication, commitment and kindness will be sorely missed in Maine.