The month of February is widely considered by some to be the month of “love”, so what better time to blog about all of the many reasons myself and others love The Baddour Center? It is quite an easy topic for someone who has spent the better part of her life living and loving all things Baddour!
While the word “love” can be defined in so many different ways, it has always been clear to me that love is a never ending story of an open book and experiences. With that said, I would “love” to share the relationship I have had with The Baddour Center for the past 38 years and the many things that make this place so special and loveable!
Without a doubt, and first and foremost, I have to begin with loving the residents. The people who call The Baddour Center their “home away from home” are the very reason that myself and other employees come to work every day. Baddour residents are why this awesome HOME exists in the first place and why everyone loves Baddour! The Center has 144 unique and special individuals who love you unconditionally. They are not interested in how you look or what position you hold; through their eyes, you are the special one! They never miss a chance to ask how you are doing, express interest in your spouse, your pet, your Mom, Dad and extended family. They know when you are having a bad day or not feeling well, and they are the first to always lift you up and remind you that you are loved.
The residents’ families are another reason to love The Baddour Center. Parents and siblings choose Baddour for so many reasons, and first among those reasons is the love and concern that staff have for the residents, which is evident the first time a family member visits the campus. The love for family is always expressed in every “new admission” meeting with the assurance and a promise to take good care of their loved one.
Yet another reason to love the Baddour Center is the opportunity to work for an organization with beautiful facilities and great resources. Families often point to the freedom offered by our beautiful and spacious campus as one of the many reasons they love Baddour. Whether a resident or employee, we are all fortunate to live and work in a faith-based environment that has as its foundation a loving and living God and many opportunities to worship together.
The Center has the best group of coworkers—people I have had the privilege of working with during my tenure in the field of disabilities. Every staff member is committed to providing quality programs and services to the residents. Taking care of someone else is an awesome responsibility and regardless of the role we play at The Center, it is a responsibility each of us takes seriously. While every family and resident is different and the challenges presented by each vary, the commitment to excellence and promoting maximum growth is a goal shared by every employee.
I love the programs and services offered at The Baddour Center, but more importantly, the residents thrive on the programs and services we offer! Services are provided to ensure that each resident reaches their full potential with an opportunity to live, learn, work, worship, and play. They also experience a multitude of activities and develop new friendships both on campus and in the community guaranteed to enrich and enhance their quality of life.
During my 38 years of loving all things Baddour, I have to mention what a tremendous blessing it is to be guided by a Board of Trustees charged with the foresight, oversight and insight of governing The Baddour Center. Each member of our Board is entrusted with the fiduciary responsibility of steering our management team towards a sustainable future. A challenge, I assure you, each Board member takes very seriously. Most definitely a challenge even in the best of times.
Lastly, I love the fact that so many lives have been touched by the mission and vision of The Baddour Center. As a non-profit agency, The Center is and continues to be dependent upon the generosity of a strong donor base. I must say Thank You for the love shown by so many donors who have given and continue to give generously of their time, talents and money! Donors come in all shapes and sizes and from many walks of life. Residents, employees, families, board members, volunteers and perfect strangers have all contributed to The Baddour Center over the past 38 years. We love the support each of you has provided, and prayerfully, will continue to provide to ensure the vision and mission of The Baddour Center continues long into the future for many generations of persons with intellectual disabilities.
I started this blog with the heading “Home Is Where the Heart Is and Love Abounds,” and now I will close with a favorite Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13: “…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.”
Tricia Melvin, Chief Operating Officer