Employee Spotlight: Collette

Collette is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at our Adult Learning site in Lincoln Square and has been with Search for 18 years!

Her supervisor says, “Collette continues to be a shining star on our Lincoln team! She does a great job with starting our individuals off on a positive note and greeting them all off their Pace bus in the morning. She has taught individuals how to sign their names [in sign language] and how to sign songs.”

Collette said she got started in this field shortly after having her own child who had a developmental disability.

She says, “This is not a job for me, it is a passion. I am very passionate in the care I provide to the individuals. I believe that every individual needs compassion and love through the meaningful active treatment we provide to them daily. I look at our individuals as people who need support in areas they aren’t strong in.”

Collette’s favorite parts of working for Search are the individuals and the team, who she says are “a second family to me.”

She advises anyone considering a career in this field to “do it because they care - not just for the paycheck. The best compensation comes in forms of smiles, hugs, and seeing individuals make strides in their personal goals.”

Outside of work, Collette likes to spend time with her family. Her daughter also works for Search and recently gave birth to Collette’s new grandson.

Thank you for your many years of dedication, Collette!