Staff Stories

Please take a few moments to read about KenCrest's staff and the incredible things they do behind the scenes every day.

Sandy Millard, Project Director, Connecticut Residential Services

In November, Sandy played an important part in getting our Pennsylvania residential homes licensed. For an encore, one week later she assumed her new position in Connecticut. Those programs were going through their state licensure, and again Sandy was instrumental in helping them attain their license. Two licenses in two states in two weeks!! A job well done. At KenCrest, Positive Approaches is everywhere.

Jesse Hoagey, Maintenance Technician, Resource Management

Jesse was doing some maintenance work at one of the community homes. On his way home after he was finished he came upon a bad car accident. It had just happened and people were badly injured. Jesse, a certified “First Responder,” stabilized the injured victims and waited with them for the arrival of the ambulance. After the ambulance arrived he continued to help and assisted in getting the injured into the ambulance. Jesse’s first aid experience, compassion, and willingness to help aided those desperately in need. KenCrest people use Positive Approaches no matter what situation they’re in.

Kelsey Magaskie, Administrative Assistant, Community Residential Services

This Christmas, despite having the day off, Kelsey planned to spend her day off visiting one of our Children’s Residential Homes. After getting permission from staff, on Christmas Day, Kelsey and a few close friends visited children at our Waterman Home. She helped the children to play with their Christmas gifts, and even brought food that she had baked for the staff working to enjoy. One of the children told her it was the best Christmas that they had ever had. She did not tell any of her colleagues that she was doing it, because she did not want any credit or praise. Kelsey’s compassion, humility, and selflessness on a day that she had off is what Christmas Spirit is all about. KenCrest staff use Positive Approaches no matter when it is needed most.

Latrisa Cuthbert, Community Home Supervisor, Edward Thornton, Resident Advisor, Philadelphia Residential

On Thanksgiving Day, Latrisa and Edward took the two men they support in the community home to center city to help feed the homeless. They passed out platters of food and sodas. They then got a chance to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade. When they talked about their day, the men said they didn’t know there were so many people without a place to live or without food. Then they said that we should invite some of those people to the Kencrest Christmas party – “there’s always a lot of food there!!” At their Thanksgiving dinner in their home later that day, one of the men blessed the food and asked God to look out for “the people at the parade!” Positive Approaches at KenCrest can be seen in the staff, the people we serve, and all of us.

Roy Jackson, Maintenance, South Philadelphia Center

A group of 10 volunteers recently spent a day working at the South Philadelphia Center. The center staff picked jobs for them, and by the time they arrived at 9:00am, Roy had materials ready and had prepared the areas where they were to work. He was responsive to their needs all day long, getting whatever they needed, answering all their questions, and going out of his way to make their experience a good one. All the while, he still got his regular work completed. With Roy’s help, the volunteers were able to finish all the work the center needed done. Thanks to the experience they had, they offered to help again whenever we need them. All day long, Roy showed these outsiders what Positive Approaches looks like at KenCrest.

Ted Josey, Transportation Coordinator, Lifesharing

The daughter of one of our Lifesharing families was getting married. The family has two men from Lifesharing who live with them, neither of whom had suits to wear to the wedding. Upon hearing of this, Ted volunteered to take the men out for fittings and purchasing suits, dress shirts, matching handkerchiefs, and shoes. He made a day of it by taking them out to lunch. When the wedding day arrived, Ted provided respite for both of the men and ensured that they were properly dressed right down to the tie tacks. He then accompanied them to the wedding. They received many compliments on how handsome they looked. Positive Approaches at KenCrest is going the extra mile for others to make them feel important.