Her infectious smile and boisterous voice has been around Community Living Cambridge for approximately 36 years! She first began her journey with us in September of 1983 at Blair Road group home. Growing up, her first passion was to become a nurse, but her math marks halted that career. It was when a neighborhood family needed a babysitter for their little boy with Down Syndrome that her career path began. When a flyer came in the mail advertising (what is now known as) the Developmental Service Worker course, she knew it was meant for her.
After her schooling, she worked as a Health Care Aid at Hilltop Manor with seniors while doing relief in SIL for CLC. Her first full time positon was at Blair Road group home and was the start of a long career with our agency.
Jan was married in 1993 and has managed being wife and subsequently mother to three children while continuing to work for us. She has done sleep shifts, night shifts, part time and full time hours. She has worked at Blair Rd, Mercer Rd, Cooper St, and is currently doing relief at The Franklin Centre. Jan loves the changes happening at the Franklin Centre. She states, “They are gearing programs to what the guys want, and that’s an amazing thing.”
One of the things she has enjoyed over the years is the flexibility. Being at Cooper Street, she was able to work sleep nights when her daughter, Courtney was young, so she could spend the days with her.
Jan’s passion is felt when she speaks of her work, “I love the individuals we support and I love the agency.” Jan has had the pleasure of working with the same manager, Sandra Speckeen for 32 years. She says, “Sandra’s the number one reason I have been here so long. She is a manager extraordinare.”
Jan has not only been with us as a valued staff, she has become friends with the people she works with. Her closest friends also happen to be co-workers. Her kids grew up surrounded by CLC individuals and staff. Jan has passed her passion on to her daughter, Courtney who is in her second year working with our agency. Congratulations and thank you Jan for the many years of service and the life path you chose.
