A Fond Farewell for Two of Our Favorites

We have some bittersweet news this week, as we say “Goodbye” (for now) to two of our longest tenured employees. While we are sorry to see them go, we are grateful for all they have meant to the ODC, and are extremely happy that they get to enjoy some time to do the things they really want to do without having to get up early for work or attend meetings.

This week marks the retirement of Senior Program Specialist Shelly Laity and Office Manager Tammy Gibson, and we are definitely going to miss them and all they bring to the ODC.

Shelly began at the ODC back in 2001, and spent a few years working as a direct support professional/floor supervisor. In that capacity she worked closely with our Program Participants on their daily work, helping them to learn a variety of vocational skills. After about five years she was promoted to Program Specialist where her responsibilities included the development and implementation of Individualized Service Plans; coordination of services for new and existing participants; facilitating the admissions process for new applicants and supervision and training of employees, as well as overseeing and supporting the progress of each participant’s long range vocational plans. In 2011 she took on the role of Senior Program Specialist, a position she has held for 14 years.

Executive Director Gregg Richards has this to say about Shelly:

“Shelly is gifted.  She has THE gift that you need to have to be successful when it comes to working with people.  It’s almost like she carries a part of a person with her once she meets them.  Over the years, I have witnessed literally hundreds of people wait at her office door during their breaks at the ODC just to make sure that they got to talk to her for a little bit.   She can remember all of those people.  I know that they all remember her too.  I will miss Shelly very much too, but she is my neighbor…  So I KNOW WHERE SHE LIVES!!  😊”     

In her retirement, Shelly says will be a fulltime dog and cat mom, and hopes to spend more time pursuing her artistic endeavors, like drawing and painting. She also hopes to spend more time gardening.

Shelly shares one of the memories she has from her time at the ODC:

There are so many memories from 24 years at the ODC and thankfully most of them are good.

I’ve learned so much from each of the individuals with whom I’ve been privileged to work

One of the most inspiring ones was Charlie. He showed everyone around him that no matter what life has thrown at you, you can keep an optimistic outlook and find delight in almost anything. 

He was in his late 60’s when I started working here in 2001. From my perspective now he was really quite young…

Most of the time he was unable to control his limbs due to Cerebral Palsy, yet he never stopped trying.

His hands were distorted from arthritis, yet he was determined to try every job that we had.

He was confined to a wheelchair, yet he was always on the move.

He was deaf, yet somehow he always knew what was going on and if someone was in need of support.

He couldn’t speak yet he always made himself heard and understood.

He had no teeth yet had the most wonderful smile.

He spent many years in an institution well known for breaking the spirits of its patients, yet he was always full of joy.

If, with all of these hurdles, he could face each day with a positive outlook, acceptance of everyone and a willingness to try and make a difference then so can I.

Charlie passed away 12 or 13 years ago but continues to motivate and inspire and I think he would be proud of that legacy.

Tammy, meanwhile, started at the ODC as an administrative assistant back in 2009, and before her first year was out, had been promoted to Office Manager. Tammy is the heart of the ODC, keeping everything running smoothly. She has been in charge of all the money that goes in and out and keeping track of everything.

In her retirement Tammy plans to spend some more time playing Golf, browsing antique stores, and doing some landscaping and other improvements at her home.

Gregg has this to say about Tammy:

“Tammy has been my right hand for the 15 years we have worked together.  She and I worked together closely on many important projects over the years and there was not one time where she was unable to get me what I was asking for.  She is incredibly professional and organized.  I am so happy for her and look forward to seeing how retirement treats her, but I will miss her terribly.”    

Tammy relates this story from her early years at the ODC:

I got a phone call at 2 a.m. It was Gregg. He said the building had been broken into and the police were there and were dusting for fingerprints. The windows were broken in the cafeteria door. He said that we needed a handyman to fix things, and could I find one in the middle of the night to board them up. I said I would try. I got on Angie’s List and found a handyman in the neighborhood and I called him and his wife answered, I said “this is a strange request in the middle of the night but we got broken into and need help.”

He came in right away and took care of it.

While I was on the phone with Gregg, I asked if the vehicles still there? And he had to look and said they were. I asked if anything was missing? He told me they beat the heck out of the safe. [This safe is HUGE and practically impenetrable] The safe handle was broken and they ruined the drum so we had to get a locksmith in to fix it.

Months later, a police officer came in and told us he might have info on the break-in. That’s when they revealed that MY fingerprints were the ones that were all over the safe.

I responded, “Well, I work here and my job means getting into the safe every day…”

Tammy and Shelly, you both will be missed greatly.

Thank you, so much, for all that you have done for the ODC. You are both a big part of what makes us who we are today. Your work has impacted the lives of countless Program Participants over the years, and we are incredibly blessed and honored to have had you in our lives. Not just as coworkers, but as friends and family. Thank you!

Stay tuned for an update next week about some of the other changes here at the ODC…