Working at Resources for Human Development
Eloise Harrell, administrative assistant, Mandela
“I don’t like my job. I love it! I’m really making a difference in someone’s life who really needs it – it’s my calling. If you really want to grow, you need to apply yourself to grow. I started as an on-call person, and now I’m the administrative assistant. It’s a joy to work here, and I love working for my director. At RHD, I have an opinion, I have a say, I have ideas that they are willing to try. They appreciate me here. I’ve worked at other places where it wasn’t like that.
It’s not about us as the staff. It’s about our clients – we do what’s best for them. I love working with them, all of them. It’s not about the money for me; it’s about how I feel here. That’s why I wouldn't leave RHD. At Central Office, there’s always a warm welcome from everyone. There are open arms here. If you reach out to people, you’ll always get answers. All you have to do is ask.”
Mandela provides community living arrangements for adults who have special mental health or mental retardation needs, with supervised programs in daily living skills and personal care management.
Dwayne Ginyard, auxiliary services coordinator, Woodstock Family Center
“At RHD, there is a whirlwind of opportunity. One of the best sentiments for me is going to work not knowing what to anticipate -- and in this particular arena, change and growth are evident. I entered the Leadership Development Program at RHD and immediately I was shown qualities in myself that I didn’t know I had. It was a kind of internal development for me to enhance my leadership style.
This is a very values-driven operation. I found it a lot easier to conform to this kind of system; it leads my lifestyle. This organization represented, for me, an opportunity to help well-deserving people. RHD is like my family. They listen to me, respect me, and acknowledge me. There is an opportunity for everyone here. As a group, we are one. You can really come to work and let your hair down, let people know who you really are. It’s phenomenal.”
Woodstock provides emergency shelter and an array of supportive services to homeless families with children.
Traci Stevens, program director, Family House NOW
“Working at RHD is not my work, it’s my lifestyle. It’s what I do, like how I eat breakfast in the morning. It’s not just something I have to do, but something I enjoy doing. Working in human services can be thankless. But when I see that success with my clients, it’s incredibly rewarding.
RHD has always been very genuine in its values. There is a sense of closeness and an open forum to discuss anything. I see my bosses as my mentors -- which is rare. There’s not one attitude or belief at a corporate level. Instead we build trust with one another and that transfers to our clients. RHD is true to its word with dignity and respect for everyone. We’re all starting at the same playing field -- there are no big I’s and little me’s.”
Family House NOW is a long-term residential treatment facility for women experiencing mental illness and chemical dependence, and their children. It is one of only a few programs in the country to work with mothers and children together in a residential setting.
Jesse Padgett, corporate program coordinator
“Why do I love RHD? No day at work is ever the same; there is a huge variety in the work I do. One week I’ll be in Delaware, the next I’m in Maryland -- I don’t have to sit in a cubicle all day and stare at the wall. The atmosphere here is perfect. For some people an open environment in the office doesn’t work, but I thrive on it.
RHD is always trying to be cutting edge. We have a lot of people here who are experts in their field, always on top of the latest research and not afraid to try new things. We love the challenge. That’s one thing you can always expect from RHD -- we’re going to help people when no one else will.”
RHD's Central Office includes budget directors, program managers and coordinators who all offer support and supervision to more than 160 locally managed programs in 13 states.