Meet Amanda Lersch

Amanda Lersch is an accounting assistant at the Center of Hope and has been on the staff almost eight years. We asked Amanda to share some of her thoughts about the Center.

How long have you been at the Center? I have been at COH for almost 8 years.

Please describe your role at the Center.  I am currently one of the accounting assistants but I started out as a DSP (Direct Support Professional) aide and have been lucky enough to be a DSP and a lead DSP before moving into this position.           

Why did you choose this field? I’ve always had an interest that started when I was in high school and took a class volunteering with students from Paige Park School. I also worked in a group home for a few years before I started here. It just becomes a special, meaningful place to you.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in working at the Center?  COH is a bit different than an average workplace, but that’s also one of the things that makes it so great. If you enjoy helping others and don’t mind thinking outside of the box, COH is a very rewarding place to work.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen over the years? It doesn’t seem like I’ve been here that long, but since I have been here it has been cool to see how independent many of the participants have become and how choice has been incorporated into everyone’s schedules along with the variety of things that they are given the options of doing. I particularly enjoy hearing about the special classes and artwork the participants have created.

 What keeps you at the Center?  I enjoy coming to work each day. I get to work with some really great people, the participants are the most encouraging and accepting people I’ve ever met, and even my kids ask about things going on at the Center and when they will get to stop in and visit again. 

Anything else you’d like us to know? Fun fact: I dislike my picture being taken.  J