Employee Testimonials - Staff Recruiter

Leea

Leea was looking for a full-time, second-shift job so she could attend school when she came to Heartspring almost 10 years ago. Today she is responsible for seeking out people who might be in the same situation she once found herself in.

“Before I came to Heartspring I was working two full time jobs as a bartender. I had done that for 5 years and really enjoyed it, but there was no growth potential and I was not getting any sense of fulfillment from my work,” she said. “When I originally began working at Heartspring I was seeking employment with 2nd shift hours so that I could attend school during the day. Little did I know, Heartspring would be the beginning of much better things for me,” she says.

After starting as a home para in 1998, Leea worked in several of the homes and then
worked her way up to Home Coordinator.

“I came to Heartspring and began as a para-educator and worked in G1, G2, G4 and G5 over the course of three years. Then in 2003 I applied for Home Coordinator and remained a Home Coordinator until I left for a few months to try to pursue something I thought I wanted. I realized after few months of leaving Heartspring that Heartspring is where I was supposed to be.

As staff recruiter, Leea is now responsible for contacting individuals who express an interest in Heartspring through avenues such as walking in and filling out an application or by a connection made at a job fair.

“What I enjoy the most is seeing the paras that I hire enjoy what they do, and grow to love and connect with the students they work with. What I also enjoy is seeing the paras grow themselves; some promote into different positions and that is also exciting for me to watch,” Leea says.

Despite her move from direct care to support staff, Leea says she will not forget the connections she has made with the students and the mission at Heartspring.

“One of my first students at Heartspring affected me in many ways. He is one of the reasons I am still here to this day. When I began with him he was a different young man than the one that I watched graduate. Because of the work of his team and his parents he was able to leave here with a much more independent way of life, able to find something to do when bored vs. going into a behavior, able to make his own breakfast, able to dress himself and able to cope without hurting himself. This is what makes me happy. I wish for all of the students at Heartspring; growth, and a more independent life for themselves. “

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