Looking Back Over 75 Years

They all came to Heartspring for different reasons, work in different departments and have varying daily duties, yet one thing binds ten Heartspring employees together - a dedication the organization that spans over 25 years.

Through many changes including a new name and moving the campus across town, Cheryl O’Brien, Linda Parmiter-Jacobs, Michael Pennington, Verlene Warner, Teri Hubbard, Mary Walker, Nikki Shirley, Debbie Harr, Steve Stoffregen and Carol Jared-Brown have dedicated their careers to ensure that Heartspring is a place where children and adults receive the best education, therapy and care; a place where miracles happen.

“The fact that no matter who comes and who goes, this organization continues to work miracles for some very special people,” said Nikki Shirley, human resources assistant who has been at Heartspring since 1979. “It’s this amazing thread that never seems to break as employees come and go. Thankfully, we are still working miracles.”

Steve Stoffregen, who started as a direct care provider and is now the management information systems manager, also cites miracles as a reason he’s been here since 1982. “I’ve stayed because of the miracles that happen here. Over the years there have been many.”

For Michael Pennington, working at Heartspring is a family tradition. His father worked in the maintenance department at the facility on Jardine Drive for 42 years and Michael grew up on campus. His dad told him in 1968 that he too would join the staff. “Since day one it has been a part of my life either as place to live or a place to work,” he said. Although Pennington does not work directly with the students, he takes pride in his contribution. “I like working for the children and doing what I can to help them advance.”

The three ladies who comprise the Heartspring Hearing Center have 90 years of combined experience at Heartspring. Teri Hubbard, Linda Parmiter-Jacobs and Carol Jared-Brown fondly recall their time traveling to Myanmar (Burma) in 1995 and 2000 to provide services to children in need. They also truly enjoy working together as a team. “The people I have worked with for so many years (makes Heartspring so special),” said Jared-Brown.

Each year, the entire staff at Heartspring and many people in the community look forward to the annual Heartspring School Holiday Program. This event would not be possible without Verlene Warner who has been the music specialist and pre-vocational instructor since 1978. She first came to Heartspring because of her “desire to teach students who were and are most often told that they cannot or will not be able to do things,” she said. To Warner the dedication of the staff and their willingness to work with such challenging and unique individuals is why she loves working at Heartspring.

Cheryl O’Brien has filled many roles during her tenure, which began in 1975. Today, she is the Vocational Training Program coordinator in the Heartspring School. “Heartspring has taught me so many valuable life lessons about myself, others and the need to serve children with special needs,” she said. “It is truly a privilege and an honor to belong to an organization that demonstrates commitment to the needs of our students, parents, school districts, staff and the community. To experience the life-changing miracles each day keeps you coming back for more.”

Many of these longtime employees have a strong personal connection to Heartspring. Warner adopted her son Michael while he was a student at Heartspring. Stoffregen met his wife Linda at Heartspring and was married in the chapel on the old campus. Shirley got her job at Heartspring after enrolling her son Jason in the Clinical Infant Stimulation Program. For most of the staff, working at Heartspring is much more than just a job and the reward is greater than a paycheck.