Yolanda Harvey is Support Lead at Project
Freedom–Westampton.
Yolanda Harvey loves trying new things every day. “Learning new skills to better and enhance what you can already do are most important,” says Yolanda. “The world is constantly changing, and having a disability doesn’t mean that you cannot keep up. It means you can push and challenge yourself to accomplish whatever your mind can imagine.”
Yolanda is Support Lead at Project Freedom–Westampton for 10 months. In that short time, she has shown how much she cares about the residents in her care. That she should be honored as Direct-Support Professional of the month is readily apparent. Project Freedom comprises assisted-living arrangements in private homes, usually an apartment right in the community. Westampton is home to Bob and Cordelia F., a couple who recently celebrated their two-year anniversary.
“What I like most about working at Project Freedom–Westampton is the daily gratification of knowing that I am making a difference in the life of a couple, who teaches me that anything is possible and love has no limits,” says Yolanda.
The Extraordinary in the Everyday
Yolanda shares her smiles with Bob and Cordelia F.
Yolanda incorporates the couple in everyday activities. Aside from supporting the couple with those day-to-day tasks that mean a great deal, Yolanda involves Bob and Cordelia in regular trips into the community. For example, they selected and purchased curtains to beautify their home. In addition, she helped the couple put lights on the tree, “those seemingly mundane things that mean a lot, enhancing their dignity and independence,” says Yolanda.
“I am very grateful to have met Bob and Cordelia,” says Yolanda. “They’ve accomplished what many have not in their two years together as husband and wife. They display strength and hope every day.”
A Long-Time Disability Advocate
Before becoming part of Advancing Opportunities team, Yolanda worked in a hospital and nursing homes as a certified nursing assistant. In addition, she worked as a private-duty certified home health aide for over 10 years. However, her involvement with the disability community goes back even further. “I have worked with people with all kinds of disabilities since I was a teenager. Taking care of family members and getting certified in 2002 made my life much more meaningful,” explains Yolanda. She wants every day to be productive, so on her drive home she can reflect on what she had done for someone. “I believe we are all helpers one to another in some way,” she continues. “I know that one day I will need the help. What you give to others and give freely with love and compassion with definitely come back to you.”
Being involved with and advocating for people is what Yolanda has always found both important and satisfying. Early in her career, she worked in nursing homes. At those places, however, she became bothered by the neglect she saw. She advocated on their behalf, but management was not interested in her views. Yolanda was troubled by how sterile and clinical those nursing homes were. It was clearly time for a change. Recalling her work with family members, she decided to become involved in home health care. It was an excellent fit. “I love it, because you can be personal,” says Yolanda. “I love doing home health care. I could do this until retirement.”
The people with whom Yolanda has worked thought so, too. One of her clients was a young man from Costa Rica who became quadriplegic after a tragic accident while installing a roof. Yolanda recalled that when he had to obtain services offered only from another agency, he wanted her to join his new agency, so she could always be with him.
Family and Future
“Well, being a proud mother of three is a blessing in itself,” recalls Yolanda. One day, she plans on going back to school to finish her nursing courses and expand her professional skills. For now, however, she loves “seeing smiles on the residents’ faces when I walk out the door, knowing that I put their interest and concerns first and they are satisfied.”
This article is the seventh of a continuing feature on our Direct-Support Professional of the Month program, recognizing the talents of one of our specialists in the Residential Services program. Last month, we featured Audrey Billie, who works at the Hiawatha group home. She also hosted a holiday pajama party for several area residences.
