Why do we all choose to work at CHS? We serve children, women, and families that come to us with difficult challenges to overcome. The days are not easy. Not everyone can do it. There is stress, but there is reward.

Just recently, Marketing asked staff to share what it means to them to work at CHS. These testimonials will be used in our recruitment efforts. We thought it would be meaningful for everyone to hear what some of your co-workers had to say

Kaela Larkin, Teaching Assistant, SFCH

Working here at Children’s Home Society with these wonderful kids and extraordinary staff has helped me find my home away from home. I am inspired each day and am filled with a sense of purpose through my work. This is by far the most incredible organization I have ever found myself a part of and I am overjoyed to walk through these doors each morning!

 

Vanessa Hoogendoorn, Post Adoption Therapist

Words can’t describe the support you get from your peers while helping children and families. My colleagues at CHS are like my second family. I could not ask for a better place to grow not only in my career, but personally.

 

Kate Feilmeier, Assistant Program Supervisor, Children’s Inn

Working at Children’s Inn and as a part of CHS has been wonderful. I constantly feel supported, encouraged, and challenged in new ways. The best part about working at Children’s Inn is being part of the “family.” We always say we are just one big family because the staff work through difficult times and celebrate joy the same way a family does. This work is difficult, but it is incredibly rewarding and you get to work alongside some of the best people in the world.

 

Kathy Schneider, Bright Start Nurse Supervisor

CHS has a strong culture that offers mutual support, promotes trust, rewards employees’ efforts, and ensures that employees know their work is meaningful!  I appreciate CHS because they treat their employees fairly, are dedicated to the success of their employees, and have a great work life balance!

 

Cassie Nagel, Education & Public Awareness Specialist

As a child advocate who believes that every child deserves a safe and healthy childhood, working at CHS is literally a dream come true. As an Education & Public Awareness Specialist, I have the privilege and honor of educating parents, professionals, and community on the realities about abuse and maltreatment and how they can be part of the prevention solution.

 

Lisa Johnson, Unit Director, SFCH

I work with the very best people at CHS.  Staff are dedicated to doing their best for our kids and families, and for each other.  I am grateful to be part of this team.

 

Loni Anderson, Administrative Assistant, BH Community Based Services

There are definitely days when things get tough, there is no doubt about that. But there are so many reasons, so much hope that is seen, so many brighter days to look forward to. Sometimes you see kids that are broken, scared, and lost. Eventually you may see that same kid with a smile, skipping, laughing, an innocent gesture, something that gives you a hope and a reason. I have been able to see hope in a child, and it makes my heart explode. It is those moments that make me keep coming back, knowing that I will be able to see that hope again!

 

Daren Jessip, PC Support Specialist

James 1:27 charges us to look after the orphan and the widow and to keep them safe. I see working at CHS as the fulfillment of that charge. The work is satisfying and a pleasure knowing that I can be a positive influence and rising to the challenge that we have been given. Protecting, nurturing, and teaching children is a higher calling that demands a response.

 

Jessica Tribble, Inquiry Coordinator

I love that I have a job that cares about me as a person. Most jobs expect work first, family second. CHS allows family first. As a busy mom, I so appreciate that. I hear so many complain, “Ugh, it is Monday.”  I don’t feel the same.  I look forward to Mondays when I get to go back to work.

 

Angela Smith, Family Development Specialist/Therapist

Working at CHS means being a part of something bigger than myself.  It also means being a member of a collaborative and supportive team that works toward a common goal to empower children and families.  The leadership at CHS understands the inherent challenges in this work and strives to encourage and inspire their staff.

 

Carol Amussen, Database and Electronic Donations Manager, CHF

Working at Children’s Home has been a huge blessing for me! Even though I’m “behind the scenes” and not working directly with the children on a day-to-day basis, it is so rewarding knowing that everything I do has an impact on the lives of the children in our care. I have the best co-workers in the world and have finally found the job that I will retire from someday!

 

Julie Blain, Assistant Program Supervisor, Children’s Inn

Children’s Inn is like my second family.  The work is rewarding and my coworkers have the biggest hearts. 

 

Alyssa Protsch, Family Therapist/Assistant Unit Director, SFCH

It has always been important that I work in a career where every day I can make a difference in my niche of the world. As a therapist, I get to be a part of children and families healing while learning that they hold immense value. Every parent and child deserves services to help them heal, learn, and grow. I am proud to say I work for CHS.

 

Ashley Eilertson, Teacher, SFCH

During this unprecedented time, receiving positive regards from my co-workers along with emails from parents of day students indicating their child misses me and speaks of me often, really encompasses how appreciative I am of the CHS community—knowing  I have not only positively impacted families but that my colleagues also support and uplift me.

 

Paige Knuth, Teacher Assistant, SFCH

Working at CHS means working as a team with others to help provide opportunity for kids to achieve bright futures. Sharing the same passion to help be someone for kids who may have nobody.  All while putting time, understanding, love, and hope into helping children build and learn healthy positive tools to use as they grow as an individual.

 

Wendy Ensz, Music Teacher, SFCH

Working at CHS means serving children through love and Music.  Witnessing their hearts fill when they connect with a song, play an instrument they’ve never touched before, hear a song they’ve requested, or sing their hearts out—just  for the sake of singing, or in a glowing performance – is exactly why I have the best “job” in the world.

 

Elizabeth Keizer, Therapist, BHCH

It’s the never ending challenges and having to “think outside of the box” moments. It’s the feeling you get when a child chooses to use their tools instead of “blowing up” and the phone calls or emails that come letting us know that one of “our kids” is doing great. It’s looking back and realizing that the child that is just now leaving our doors is not the same child we met when they arrived.  It’s realizing that the child that left was the one that was always there inside and witnessing firsthand the healing that happens by creating relationships and a safe place for kids! It’s coming to work and being asked for a hug or to sit on your lap knowing you are their “safe place.” It’s meeting the challenge of having to advocate and not take the easy way out of situations. I chose to be a part of Children’s Home for all of these reasons and more.

 

Michelle Schroeder, Case Manager, Children’s Inn

Working at Children’s Inn means being treated with integrity, honesty, and respect. It is an honor to work for an agency that encompasses professionalism all around the board and promotes and encourages ongoing continuing education, everlasting friendships, and more.  It is a legacy metaphorically speaking, to work in such a place providing safety, hope, care, and compassion to the guests that come through.  I often have my children comment on how happy and proud they are of the work I do.  They remind me that I am that safe person, that they know where I work and that I am helping people.  I take the values and lessons and instill them in with our core family values and I do take this with pride. 

 

Melisa Miftari, Residential Treatment Counselor, SFCH

Over the last 3.5 years at CHS, I have built so many relationships with kids and coworkers that I will cherish forever. The children and staff at CHS have become a family to me and have taught me so many things throughout the years. Working at CHS means putting others before yourself and providing a safe and healthy environment for the children that come into our care. It also means creating lasting relationships, teaching social skills, and providing daily care for our kids.

 

Blake Bennett, Team Coordinator, SFCH

After I started working here I quickly realized the importance of this place. CHS is a place where staff can come and make a difference in children’s lives and have fun doing it. I can leave work every day feeling like I made a positive impact on these kids. It’s a job that is bigger than yourself.

 

Jessica Lamb, Shelter Assistant, Children’s Inn

I have had several different types of work experiences in my life, and it is truly an honor to work at Children’s Inn. Not only are you working to support an incredible and important mission, you are working with people who truly work as a cohesive team. 

 

Lexi Cox, Residential Treatment Counselor, SFCH

It means so much to me to be able to make such a big difference in the life of a child. It is so rewarding to see their progress and the joy they can have in a safe and nurturing environment.

 

Tom Timmerman, Family Development Specialist

I have known people who do not enjoy the work environment they are in for various reasons. CHS has an atmosphere where everyone is focused on the same SELFLESS goal. It has the feel of getting together with neighbors to volunteer in a time of crisis, except here you get a paycheck. 

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Would you, too, like to put your own thoughts into words? It’s not too late!

The collection of these testimonials is ongoing, and welcomed.

Send to: news@chssd.org