Meet Felisa Robinson
Felisa Robinson is a lead direct support professional at the Center of Hope. We asked Felisa to share some of her thoughts with us.
How long have you been at the Center? I have been at the Center for 14 years.
Please describe your role at the Center. I cover staff areas when they are absent, go on their breaks and lunch. I help out if they need ideas for activities. I often go on outings with some areas. I often pick up and take participants home. I make sure participants needs are being met whether it be engaging with them to meet their goals for the month, or with any concerns they may have, which I relay it to someone who can help them more in-depth, depending on the situation.
I assist my Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) with anything she needs me to do or help her with.
Why did you choose this field? I chose this field because of my heart. I have a passion for working with people and helping people. Also, I feel the individuals could be my child or my family member and I just want to help them.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in working at the Center? If you are here just for a paycheck then don’t apply because either you or the participants will get short-changed, but if you have a good heart and are patient, understanding, caring, and positive then I encourage you to apply.
What is the biggest change you’ve seen over the years? Staff turnover and with COVID-19, participants have dropped.
What keeps you at the Center? What keeps me at the Center is God and the participants.
Let me explain when I say God. I always drove past this place for years but never knew what it was but all I knew was that I wanted to work there. So, every time I would drive by, I kept telling myself I’m going to work there. One day I got an opportunity through a friend and I have been here ever since. So, God keeps me here so that I am able to help the participants. The participants show so much love to you that on a bad day I come in and they cheer me up without even knowing it and they are the reason I stay.