For Debbie Bauer, working at KenCrest has always been about one simple question: How would I want someone to support my own family?
15 years ago, while working as a school district aide, Debbie was considering a new career path when a friend of hers encouraged her to apply at KenCrest. She wasn’t sure at first if working at KenCrest was something she could really do, but after a lifetime of advocating for her own daughter's needs, who has a disability, she eventually decided to take the leap. And she found her calling.
From day one, Debbie approached her role as an Employment Specialist with a deeply personal philosophy.
“I try to treat my clients how I would treat my own daughter,” she says. “What would I want or do for my own family?”
That mindset shaped how she spoke with and helped coach everyone she worked with, and how she celebrated every milestone alongside the people she supported.
As an Employment Specialist, Debbie provides hands-on job training, often learning a new position right alongside the individual she supports. Over time, she carefully fades her support, identifying natural workplace connections and helping build the confidence needed for independence.
What has meant the most to her over the years is seeing that growth unfold. “Just to feel good about the work I do when I see the progress that a client is making,” she says, “and seeing them become independent, and the confidence that they have is wonderful.”
For Debbie, employment services are never just about job tasks. They’re about building relationships and understanding the whole person. By getting to know someone deeply, she could often sense when something wasn’t quite right and help them work through it, whether the challenge was workplace-related or personal.
Her support extends to individuals participating in Project SEARCH, where interns explore different career paths through rotations at the Phoenixville Hospital, to build both hard and soft skills. Debbie emphasizes the importance of adaptability for both the individuals she supports and herself.
When asked what qualities are most important in this role, she didn’t hesitate: “You’ve got to be flexible, and I always say have a good sense of humor.”
As Debbie prepares to retire on March 27, she reflects with gratitude on the people she has supported and the coworkers she’s worked with. She is most proud of the independence, confidence, and growth she has witnessed over the past 15 years.
Her legacy lives on in every individual who now walks into work believing, “I can do this.”
Debbie’s story is just one example of how KenCrest’s Employment Services help the people we support build confidence, independence, and meaningful careers.
If you’re interested in services for yourself or a loved one, or you’re an employer looking to create a more inclusive workplace, we’d love to connect.
Learn more about partnering with KenCrest and how we can work together to create opportunities.
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