A Work of "Heart" for 12 Years and Counting!
When St. Paul’s Without Walls Home-Based Services Department was launched in October 2012, it satisfied an unmet need in St. Paul’s continuum of care by making services available to individuals living at home. As a licensed provider for home and community-based services through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, St. Paul’s was finally able to expand our mission of providing services to those in need who did not want to make a move for a variety of reasons. It was at that time that St. Paul’s updated our vision statement to state that services are provided “in a place you call home.”
Since that time, the Without Walls Department has witnessed many changes through periods of great growth and then the Coronavirus pandemic happened in 2020. Now, in a period of regrowth, the Without Walls team is excited for a future full of possibilities and focused more than ever on what matters most – our heart!
St. Paul’s is blessed with an amazing team of thirty compassionate and caring team members who work with clients in their homes. They are the heart of the department! For Madison Steadman who has been with the team for eight of the department’s 12 years, it is not just a paycheck, but personal gratification that keeps her here. She notes that she knows she is making a difference when working one-on-one with her clients. Madison said, “You don’t want to leave!” Working for Without Walls was Madison’s first job. She recalls her first client who really broke down the stereotypes of what she expected in senior care. “She opened my eyes to what it was like to age positively,” Madison said. “I was there to help support her as she cared for her dying husband. That experience made me look at aging completely differently.” Madison is now pursuing a degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University and wants to work in senior living.
Dawn Brazofsky was looking for something to do since her youngest started college. As a recent empty nester and single mother, Dawn said, “I wanted to use my time wisely with a purpose.” She knew she wanted to spend time with people. Her aunt told her she should look into home and community-based services. “I didn’t believe her that it existed!” Dawn recalls. “I’ve always been a caregiver to my family. As I thought about what my aunt suggested, I drove by St. Paul’s and decided to explore the website.” A full-time teacher of American Sign Language at Girard City Schools in Ohio, Dawn has found working at St. Paul’s Without Walls to be rewarding and “mutually beneficial.” She loves to make connections and build relationships. It is this connection that motivates her every day. Dawn notes she just has to find common ground with each client. “We all have it,” she said. Dawn appreciates the flexible schedule and credits that as the biggest factor that allows her the opportunity to do this work.
Nancy Young just celebrated her 10th anniversary with the Without Wall’s team in April. Born and raised in Greenville, Nancy recalls working at the News Depot and chatting with a friend who worked at Paxton’s Restaurant. Nancy explained that her daughter had just moved home from Florida and was looking for work. Her friend told her about St. Paul’s. Nancy said it sounded interesting, and so she and her daughter both applied! Her daughter is married now and has moved away, but Nancy continues to work as a Companion and Care Partner. Nancy’s first client was a woman who had Alzheimer’s Disease. At first, Nancy was scared because she wasn’t sure what to expect but said, “I just fell in love with her.” One day when caring for her client at The Heritage, she recalls a man who looked at her and said, “You people are angels on earth.” She never found out who he was, but his words left a huge impact on her heart. She has learned a lot since joining Without Walls. In her career, she has had at least 20 clients – some for as long as four years and some short term. At times it has been really difficult when they passed away.
She’ll never forget one client’s husband who encouraged her to stick with it telling her, “What you have is special and you need to spread the love you had for (my wife) with other people.” Nancy said “I’m old enough to retire now, but I don’t want to! I really like what I’m doing and I love taking care of people!”
Johanna Tribley and Judy Bowser both retired from St. Paul’s after fulfilling careers as Certified Nursing Assistants. Caregiving was in their blood, and they just couldn’t stay away! It didn’t take them long to seek out opportunities within the Without Walls Department. Johanna missed being around and caring for people. “It gets me out of the house and gives me something to do!” Judy found she was able to continue doing what she loves but was able to better control her schedule and the number of hours that she works. “I really enjoy it. It’s not like doing community service, but I’m doing a service for the community! People need help and if their family can’t do it, someone needs to. As long as I can do it, I want to continue,” Judy said.
Megan Nickel has been with the department since its inception! “I don’t know how to work just one job,” Megan said. In 2012, she was working at The Heritage but was looking for “something extra.” Since that time, her career has taken her to a couple different employers, but she continues as a valued member of the Without Walls team. She still has her original client and boasts that they have been together all 12 years. As she provides homemaking services as a companion, Megan notes that her client gives her the flexibility to adjust their appointment based on her work schedule and that makes all the difference. Megan also delivers hot meals through the On The Go Dining program. Megan loves the relationships she has built and notes that this work “gets me up and moving!”
Each team member has a unique and compelling story of what drew them to this line of work. Through all of the changes over the last 12 years, there has been one constant – the love and compassion shared unconditionally by each individual with their clients. As the department looks ahead to the next 12 years, we know the need for home care will continue to grow and to meet that need, we continue to search for committed caregivers who have the same heart as our current team!
We welcome compassionate individuals who love to help others and nurture meaningful relationships with the clients we care for. A position with St. Paul’s Without Walls Home-Based Services is perfect for parents with school-age children, college students or retirees. Anyone seeking a role that fits around their life will find this opportunity especially rewarding!