At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down to speak with direct care workers, Joan and June to discuss the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how other activists can get involved in direct care advocacy in Florida.
At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down to speak with direct care worker, Muhanna S. Kakish to discuss the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how other activists can get involved in direct care advocacy in Minnesota. DCA Speaks with Muhanna S. Kakish at 2011 Voices Institute Training.
Timothy Doe
What motivates one to immigrate to another country, especially to the United States? If you are an immigrant, you have no doubt been asked: “So, what brought you here?”
Everyone’s personal situation is different and a variety reasons come into play when someone decides to come and live in this great country. Some come to U.S. because of a dangerous political climate in their native country, others due to struggling economies, sky-high unemployment rates and lack of educational and professional opportunities in their home land. Many come to the United States in search of liberty, freedom, more economic opportunities and a better quality of life for their families.
In a sea of thousands who emigrate here every year, and the millions that came before them, this is the story of one such person. My name is Timothy Kokou Doe and I came to the United States in search of a better life in 2002. I grew up in Lomé, the capital (and largest city) of Togo, located on the West African coast. Back in Togo, I worked for nonprofit social service organizations, helping young people prevent early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. I also created an association called Soleil de Nuit (Nighttime Sun), aimed at educating the public – especially teenagers – about these important topics through poetry, short sketches and theatrical plays. After moving to the U.S. from my native Togo, I worked in a restaurant for two years. Over the course of those two years, I practiced and improved my English so that I could one day pursue a career doing the direct care work that I love.
At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down to speak with direct care worker, Jimmie Chandler to discuss the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how other activists can get involved in direct care advocacy in Maine. DCA Speaks with Jimmie Chandler at 2011 Voices Institute Training.
At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down to speak with direct care worker, Naomi Smith to discuss the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how other activists can get involved in direct care advocacy in Michigan. DCA Speaks with Naomi Smith at 2011 Voices Institute Training.
Your passion. Your job. Your future!
At the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training, DCA communications director, Josh Sabato sat down for conversations with workers and direct care advocates from around the country, discussing the most pressing issues facing direct care workers and how anyone can join the movement in their home state. This week we invite you to meet Noel Mendez, from the DCA’s Pennsylvania chapter! Watch Video
Helen Hanson in front of the U.S. Capitol buidling
This letter was contributed by Helen Hanson
In 2011, the Direct Care Alliance rolled out the Personal Care and Support Credential. This credential provides direct care workers an opportunity to demonstrate their work readiness, knowledge, judgment and other critical skills necessary for providing personal care and support to people who are chronically ill, disabled, or dying.
To keep the exam fair, comprehensive and up-to-date, the Direct Care Alliance is creating a committee of experienced direct care workers to review the existing questions and discuss changes to the exam.
Joan Leah
Join Florida CNA Joan Leah on her journey to this year’s Voices Institute Training
My colleagues and I just completed the 2011 Voices Institute Leadership Training Program! It was a very intense, yet rewarding learning experience and I am honored to have graduated with some of the finest people I have ever met.
The investment that has been made by the DCA in this 2011 class is significant and it is now our responsibility to take the next steps to ensure our collective voices are being heard across the country. I have been armed with the tools necessary to advocate for the desperately needed changes to our long term care system, and I am fully focused on stepping up to the challenge of helping to create a more stable direct care workforce throughout Florida.
Tracy Dudzinski
This letter was contributed by DCA Board Chair, Tracy Dudzinski.
Another VI class has come and gone and what a week it was! First off, I would like to thank all the workers who took the time to come to Wisconsin and develop their leadership skills. It was a wonderfully diverse group filled with the talented and inspiring people our movement needs to be successful in the coming weeks, months and years.
The 2011 Voices Institute was a full circle moment for me. I attended in 2008 as a worker and was privileged to come back this year and have the opportunity to expand my leadership skills as a facilitator. When I arrived on Saturday and walked in the front door of Taylor Hall the memories overtook me. It was like I was back in 2008 arriving as a student and I couldn’t wait to get started! It was an exciting week and I enjoyed watching the new class find their voice. Although some of our attendees were quiet at the beginning of our training, by the end of the week they blossomed like the magnolia tree in the garden, turning into the leaders who will expand this movement in all corners of the country.
Guest blog from Brandon Walecka
I have limited experience with direct care workers in the community-based setting. But in the nursing home (NH) setting I have much more a familiarity. Through the ombudsman program I have been trained to spot issues and concerns of residents in NH facilities. I have been trained on how to address and resolve concerns of residents. A NH is a place residents call “home.” The NH has become a place where someone may live the remaining days of their lives or come in for a brief period of rehabilitation and recovery until they may return to their home. Continue reading »
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