New Year and New Changes
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Executive Director at Summer House, Inc. for the last 7 ½ years. Being
When did you start working at Summer House?
January 2024
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I learned to speak Russian at age 18. I’m no longer fluent in the language but thanks to the Duolingo app, I can get by and communicate well enough to be understood.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House, and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I was drawn to Summer House after learning about the organization when I came across the posting for the Executive Director position. It was heartwarming to learn about the special people who work here and have dedicated their lives to become advocates and caregivers for Summer House residents.
What excites me most about the social services field is helping community members conquer the daily challenges placed in front of them throughout their lives. Being able to celebrate their successes with them and gain their trust by helping them through difficult times is beyond rewarding.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
A few nice words can help a person more than you think.
Executive Director
When did you start working at Summer House?
I started my Summer House journey at the Davis Summer House program on July 23rd, 2003, as a Direct Support Professional and then as a Client Advocate and Program Manager. On July 23rd, 2020, I transitioned into a position in our administrative team.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I play the baritone saxophone, one of the largest instruments in the saxophone family, and played in a marching band, jazz band, and symphonic band. I also absolutely love community service, volunteering, and helping others and often hold at least 2-3 roles in other non-profit organizations.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
Working in the social service field allows me to work in various settings and work towards multidimensional collaborative change. By working in this field, I am able to empower, advocate, motivate, and connect with people on a daily basis. When I discovered that the social service field and I shared the same values of social justice, integrity, dignity, and worth of all people and service, it was love at first sight!
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
“I dwell in the possibilities.”
Administrative Assistant/HUD Specialist
How long have you worked at Summer House?
I have been with Summer House for 19 years.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I had no work experience in the Social Service field or the Finance/accounting field before coming to Summer House.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House, and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
Summer House is an amazing organization that cares deeply for the individuals they support. The staff are always looking for new and exciting opportunities for supported individuals to enrich their life. Not only does Summer House care about the people it supports, it also acknowledges the phenomenal work done by the staff and are continually looking for ways it can enhance the benefits they can offer their team.
The Social Service field is a lifeline for so many people; however, it seems to be a field that many people know little about until life brings them to need their services for themselves or their family. Having had the chance to meet many people who have chosen a career path in this field and see their enthusiasm and creative ideas, I am very excited to see what the future holds for this field. The Social Service field is so crucial that I, for one, feel fortunate to be a part of it.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” — Steve Jobs
Controller
How long have you worked at Summer House?
Four months.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I can’t ride a bike.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I originally wanted to work at Summer House because it sounded like a wonderful company and opportunity, and I knew I wanted the job after my first interview with Julie Kirby. I love the Social Service field because I love people and I feel the world would be a better place if everyone was more concerned about others.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
Smile and the world smiles back.
Human Resource Manager
When did you start working at Summer House?
I started working at Summer House on August 7th, 2008. I was hired as Summer House’s ILS Manager.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I am the training administrator for Summer House and have my master’s degree in counseling education.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House, and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I originally applied to Summer House out of grad school and thought the position would make for a good experience on my resume, but when I arrived for my interview, I was greeted by some of the residents and knew that I would love the job. I have been here for 12 years and do not plan on ever leaving. I love working in the Social Services field because I am able to work with fun and interesting people and help them to achieve their goals.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life ~ Confucius
Community Living Services Program Manager
How long have you worked at Summer House?
I began working at Summer House in May of 2022.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I lived in a tiny village called Keur Sedaro in Senegal for a little bit over 6 months as part of a host family stay/service project. I taught an introductory course about using computers at the elementary school and installed and repaired solar panels providing the first access to electricity for the village.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I enjoy working in the Social Service Field because it gives me the opportunity to help other people through challenging times and through fun times. I cherish the opportunity to work with people through their challenges because it allows me to privilege of sharing in their successes. There are few better feelings to me than enduring the difficulty of a challenging situation with a person that we support and then vicariously experiencing the joy, satisfaction, and accomplishment of making it through and being stronger for it.
I chose to work at Summer House because it is an organization first and foremost dedicated to helping people live the best life that they can. Each member of the Summer House team, from direct support to director, is committed to enabling the people that we support to be as comfortable, as accomplished, as safe, and as full of joy as possible. That is something that I am proud to contribute to each day that I go to work.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
“Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? Expediency asks the question – is it politic? Vanity asks the question – is it popular? But conscience asks the question – is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it BECAUSE it is right.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Davis Summer House Manager
When did you start working at Summer House?
I started working at Summer House on December 17th, 2013.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to read! My favorite types of books to read are fantasy fiction and mystery/thriller books.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House, and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
When I read what Summer House was about, it sounded like a great organization to work for, and I was right. The people I work with at Summer House are the most supportive, understanding, and encouraging people I have ever worked with. When I came to my dinner visit to meet the residents, I was sold! I knew I wanted to have the opportunity to work with them.
After working in the care home for 8 years as program manager, I transitioned into the position of controller at Summer House. This means I still get to see the residents at Summer House, and even though this position has been challenging for me, I am constantly learning and obtaining new skills. I am grateful for my co-worker’s continuous support in helping me with this transition.
What excites me about the social services field is that no matter where you choose to work, you will always be doing something that involves helping others. I believe that it is very fulfilling work to know that your efforts make a difference in another person’s life for the better, no matter how small it may be.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
“Strength isn’t about being able to do everything alone. Strength is knowing when to ask for help and not being too proud to do it” –Karen Marie Moning
When did you start working at Summer House?
I started working at Summer House on April 2nd, 202l and was hired as Summer House’s SLS Manager.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I used to be a part of a gospel singing group that recorded background for some local artist. I have opened up at concerts. I played the piano for almost ten years but can’t remember a lot of chords now.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I selected Summer House because SH is more intimate. I come from a bigger SLS company and I felt I wasn’t able to fully give myself to the clients in the program because it was always so much to do and just so many people. I truly have a helping spirit. I love to help people. I also am a big advocate for change in this field. My goal is to educate the outside world about people with disabilities and tear down stigmas.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
” Without struggle, there is no progress” – Booker T Washington
Supported Living Services Program Manager
When did you start working at Summer House?
I started working at Summer House in the Woodland Residential Care home on July 19th, 2019.
List something that people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a Gold Medalist!!! Yes, you heard that right; I am a Gold Medalist who was awarded the vigilant and dedicated art of Netflix binge watching… I really perfected my craft while shelter in placing. It’s ahh 2020-2021 thing, lol. No, but really, joking aside, I actually have a passion for writing even though my grammar and punctuation are not my strong suite (I know…it’s unfortunately ironic). My passion started with a “meet cute” that presented an unexpected opportunity for me to interview and write about Tommy Núñez. I know your saying to yourself who is Tommy? Well let me tell you, Tommy was the first Mexican American to ever professionally referee in any major sport in the US. He used his legacy to inspire youth and created The Tommy Núñez Foundation which supports economically disadvantaged youth with scholarships and opportunities to participate in recreational sport programs and also awards college scholarships for economically disadvantage youth. Tommy’s mantra of excelling beyond economic, educational and other infrastructural disadvantages still inspires me to this day. My interview article with Tommy was published in the Daily Democrat which then led to two other articles being published in Teen Ink Magazine and winning first place in a creative poetry contest with over 500 entries. On my down time (which is rare), I continue to write multi-genre pieces that range in lengths and topics. Writing is my Yoga.
Why have you selected to work at Summer House and what excites you about the Social Service Field?
I chose to work at Woodland Summer House because it’s a wonderful organization that allows me to help others. Woodland Summer House is a truly unique and singular organization that fosters personal and professional growth in a supportive and diverse way. The core values of the organization create a supportive foundation for the individuals it serves but the providers employed in the organization as well. The exciting part about being in the social service field is being able to advocate, collaborate, support and create change that genuinely improves the quality of other people’s life. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life brings me joy and meaning to life, it feels good to do good.
What sentence, note, or quote would you like to end on?
When writing the story of your life…Don’t let anyone else hold the pen. Winston Porter
Woodland Summer House Program Manager
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It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Executive Director at Summer House, Inc. for the last 7 ½ years. Being
This year marks Summer House, Inc.’s 50th anniversary, and we could not be more excited to celebrate all that Summer House has accomplished. Summer House’s