Agnes Owalbi works at our Hiawatha home, ensuring that the residents enjoy independence in the community.
She is the face the residents at the Hiawatha group home see when they go to bed at night. And when the residents wake up in the morning, it is Agnes’s face that greets them. “The consumers are wonderful; the residence is homey,” says Agnes Owolabi, who earned the honor of Direct-Support Professional of the Month. “I am really, really happy to be acknowledged for the good work I do,” she says. “It’s work I really like.”
Hiawatha is more than a residence. With the hard work of the support team, it’s a home.
In the morning, Agnes helps the residents to get ready for their day program. Later, in the afternoon when they come back from program, she takes the ladies for walks in the community. They all enjoy doing arts and crafts at Michaels, a local craft store. Agnes also takes time to make jewelry in the house. Most of all, the residents enjoy wearing their creations!
“When I see a smile on their faces, I am happy. They help me be a more patient, gentler person.” In addition, she says, “Parents and guardians appreciate what we do for them. They see the good work we are doing.” Indeed, working at Hiawatha (and any group home) is a team effort. “I love working there, because the staff works so well together.”
One accomplishment Agnes is proud of is that when the Residential Manger was away on vacation, she was able to find coverage to a shift, to prevent another staff member from doing triple shift, which is against agency and the state of New Jersey policy. The Residential Manager was very pleased when she told her about what she did to save the situation.
The Hiawatha residents enjoy an evening party with friends from other residences.
In addition, Agnes is proud of having had the opportunity to work with the consumers so they can be more independent. She explains how she has been redirected one of the residents to enable her to be able to change from wearing pajamas pant to regular pant during the day. “I am happy I am able to help her get dressed on her own,” she says. “I make sure I help the residents achieve their goals.”
Agnes has worked at the Hiawatha residence the entire time she has been with Advancing Opportunities, that is, since September 2013. Before then, she was an assistant manager at a dollar store. She has also worked at another New Jersey agency, where she gained experience working among people with developmental disabilities. That experience, says Agnes, “helped me to be patient and a good listener when people talk to me.” Most of all, she adds, “I am a people person. I love to work with people…. I am happy to be able to help people.”
Direct Support Professional Agnes Owolabi
