Employee of the Month

January Employee of the Month – Barb Dziedzic
Barb began at Liberty 20 years ago as a Direct Support Professional while simultaneously attending college for Occupational Therapy. After graduating and receiving her National Board Certification, Barb accepted a position as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant which she still holds today. Barb is always striving to enhance her skills with additional training, and invariably has the individuals’ best interests at heart. She has provided stability over the years as a veteran in her department and has helped to train new therapists and supervise OT students. Barb is a true asset to Liberty – congratulations!

December Employee of the Month – Deb Figueroa
Deb Figueroa began at Liberty in 1999 as a Residential Supervisor. She has held various positions since her start date, including roles as a direct support professional, involvement with med transport and as cook/cleaner. Currently, she is an Assistant Manager in the residential program, where she has made a major impact on one individual’s life over the past four years. She is compassionate, supportive, and follows through on all of her commitments. Deb treats everyone fairly, keeps a positive attitude and demonstrates all of Liberty’s values through and through. Congratulations Deb!!

 

 

 

November Employee of the Month – Christine Chichester
Christine began working as a DSP in 199, and has been a valuable staff ever since. Chris has held various positions in our residential department and has had a lasting influence on the many consumers and families that she has works with. Christine is very dedicated to making the lives of the consumers as enjoyable as possible and is very committed to their well being. In fact, when a consumer needed to be relocated to a barrier free home due to illness Christine insisted on being transferred to the new home to help him better adjust. Christine takes Liberty’s values to heart each and every day and is a great role model to all. Congratulations Christine!

 

 

 

 

 

October Employee of the Month – Amy Devendorf
Amy began working at Liberty as a Direct Support Professional for the Glen residence in February of 2009. Her artistic abilities and genuine care for the individuals she supports is what led her to her current position as an Assistant Habilitation Specialist in Day Supports where she runs an art program called, Liberty through the Arts.  Amy works passionately and diligently with individuals in the art program, and has had great success uncovering many of their talent as painters, poets and more. She travels from site to site in order to reach anyone who’s interested in her art classes and advocates for them in their art shows, contests and fundraisers.  Congratulations Amy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

September Employee of the Month – Deitra Stockwell
Deitra Stockwell began working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at the Glen residence in 2000 where her hard work and mentorship of new trainees had a lasting effect. In January 2009, Deitra was promoted to Assistant Manager at Palatine Bridge where she continues to put forth her positive work ethic on a daily basis. She is dedicated to enriching the lives of the individuals she supports and often exceeds her responsibilities to help each person fulfill his or her goals. Deitra is well respected for her dedication, but also for her sense of humor and smiling face. Her coworkers and individuals consider themselves lucky to have Deitra as part of the Palatine family! Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

 

August Employee of the Month – Rosemary Rajter
Rosemary Rajter began working for Liberty’s Business Office in 1980. In 1984, she joined the Residential Department as a scheduler and in the late 90s she moved to the Family Support Department where she has remained ever since as an FSS Scheduling Coordinator. Throughout her tenure, Rosemary has developed an excellent rapport with the families receiving services through FSS. For many of them, Rosemary is the first call when they are in need. Her strong commitment to Customer Excellence and her attention to detail are second to none. The FSS staff is proud to have Rosemary as a vital member of the team! Congratulations, Rosemary!

 

 

 

 

 

 

July Employee of the Month – Caroline Snell
Caroline Snell has been an employee of Liberty for over fifteen years, and is currently working as an Employment Training Specialist with the Career and Employment Network (CEN). She is well known among CEN staff and the individuals involved with the program for her dedication, teamwork, and motivating attitude. Caroline has also gained the respect of community employers for her dependability and professional service. She is a creative thinker, and she works diligently to meet the needs of the individuals she supports. Even in a difficult job market, Caroline remains upbeat and diligent in her search for the right placement for the individuals on her caseload. Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

 

June Employee of the Month – Gaudy Soriano
Gaudy has been with Liberty since 2006.  She works in T&H for Day Supports as well as contributing valuable time to the FSS program.  Gaudy is always willing to work days, nights and as needed to provide exceptional service to the people she supports.  She participates in fundraising activities in T&H and is known to make the “world’s best” empanadas.  Gaudy is also a primary means of communication for some of our Spanish speaking individuals.  Her value to the agency is emphasized by the fact she was nominated for employee of the month by colleagues in both the Day and FSS programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May Employee of the Month – Susan Ferry
Susan Ferry began working for Liberty’s Residential Program as a Direct Support Professional since July of 1995. She started her training at Old Trail and expanded her experience in a variety of residential sites throughout the years. The Ridge Road family was fortunate to welcome Sue as a full-time staff member in 1998. Thirteen years later, Sue is still working at Ridge Road with the same enthusiasm and dedication to her job as she had 16 years prior. Sue has played a pivotal role in many of Liberty’s initiatives. Sue is a member of the Assessment Team and the Dementia Alzheimers Resource Committee (DARC) and she has also worked on the Quality Design Team. Sue is always eager to learn and share her knowledge with the individuals we support and her co-workers. She gives 100% to her job, and always willing to help out wherever needed.  Sue is a shining example of Liberty’s Commitments to Each Other, and holds true to all of our values  – Quality, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Resourcefulness, and Person-Centered. CONGRATULATIONS Sue!

 

 

March Employee of the Month – Stephanie Wilson
Stephanie Wilson began working for Liberty as a Direct Support Professional in March 2006. Throughout her time in Liberty’s Residential Program, Stephanie has been truly committed to the individuals at Carlisle Road. Stephanie always comes into work with a positive attitude, and a smile on her face. She is constantly ready to tackle each assignment with enormous energy and goes above and beyond in helping the people we support. Stephanie is a role model for staff and exemplifies Liberty’s values as an agency. Because our Carlisle residence is considered a training home, Stephanie plays an essential role in training new staff and takes her job very seriously to ensure all components of training are carried out in a responsive manner.
Stephanie also takes responsibility for all of the medication orders for the Carlisle residence — which is no small task. All of the individuals and her fellow co-workers at Carlisle are very proud and fortunate to call Stephanie part of our team!

 

 

 

February Employee of the Month – Linda Jennings
After several years working in private practice dentistry, Linda joined the New Dimensions staff in 1997 as a dental assistant. Since then, she has been of great service to the health center’s Dental Department through a remarkable period of growth and change. Linda’s thorough knowledge of the dental department and current status as Lead Assistant make her an invaluable asset to the New Dimensions team.

 

 

 

January Employee of the Month – Tessa Pelosi
Tessa Pelosi joined Liberty’s Day Support Staff as an Assistant Habilitation Specialist 2 in August 2008 where her hard work and dedication to her job shine through on a daily basis. When recent staffing changes occurred in Area 9, Tessa was one staff member that stood out and made sure individuals in program had their needs met, and remained comfortable during the transition. New employees report that Tessa is approachable and eager to help in orienting them to the program. Existing staff consistently ask to have Tess scheduled in their rooms because of her great work ethic. Tessa truly demonstrates Liberty’s values. The individuals in program who she works with consider Tessa not just a staff member, but also a friend. Recently, Tessa was hired as a full time employee within Area 9. We are very proud and fortunate to call Tessa part of our team.

 

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