Meet Elvira!
This month we are celebrating amazing DSPs all around the nation and especially here at DSC. They are the heart and soul of everything we do to help people with disabilities feel, and be, included in the community!
Elvira is approaching her 9th year of employment with DSC, as a Residential Instructor. Prior to working at DSC, she worked for Swann Special Care Center for three years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which she received in the Philippines. She worked in Singapore for six years in a nursing home before moving to the United States.
Elvira said she likes working at DSC because of the people she supports. “They make me smile and laugh. I enjoy working with people with disabilities.” When she first began her position, she worked at one CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement), but now she sometimes rotates to different CILAs. “You get to know different people that’s why and it’s good. “Elvira’s work ethic is stellar. She accepts changes in her schedule and picks up additional shifts too. Elvira does not work 40 hours a week...she often averages well over 60 hours every week,” said Sarah Perry, Director of Residential Programs at DSC.
Although Elvira has her nursing degree in her home country, she still hopes to obtain one here in the United States. Due to the language differences, academics and the overall expense of taking the test, this has been a challenge for Elvira, but with encouragement from her husband and family, she is not going to give up on her dream.
She recently had a baby, who is now 23-months old and she has a 9-year-old. She said she does miss the weather in the Philippines, where it’s like summer almost all year around, except for November and December. She doesn’t really care for the snow here in Illinois. However, she loves the United States. “Here, you can work as much as you want and make as much money as you want. One job, two job as many as you want and it’s not like that in the Philippines.” said Elvira.
Before COVID-19 hit, her family loved to travel and see everything that they could. They especially enjoy trips to Chicago and visiting Philippine restaurants. For now, they’ve been visiting local parks and taking advantage of extra time at home with family on the weekends when she doesn’t pick up extra hours.
We thank and celebrate Elvira for her work and accomplishments as a DSP!
