Sherrie, one of our House Managers, joined New Hope Community over ten years ago after working in a similar capacity for ARC in New Jersey.

Over the years, she’s been witness to many highs and lows, but through it all she has maintained an admirable passion for her work, and a deep respect for both the people she works with and the people we support. Learn more about Sherrie below!

Q: How long have you been with New Hope, and what first brought you here?

A: I’ve been with New Hope for over ten years, since 2013. I was actually a House Manager at ARC in New Jersey for about ten years prior to marrying my husband who lived here in Sullivan County. After relocating, I commuted to New Jersey to start, but my husband was friends with a New Hope Residential Coordinator at the time who suggested I apply. I went to a group interview and accepted my position here rather than drive an hour and a half or more every day to work!

Q: What has kept you here over the years?

A: I’ve really appreciated the challenges I’ve faced over the years; I tend to do well in more challenging homes in a lot of different aspects, and I seem to have a talent for going into problematic programs and helping to get them in running order. I really enjoy it, I’m very passionate about my job.

Q: Over the years, how have you seen New Hope and the people we support grow and change?

A: I’ve witnessed a lot of personal growth of the people we support. At my current house, I’ve had the opportunity to get an individual going to college, which I thought was very good. We’ve had a person move in who didn’t have an opportunity to have an active life until he came to our house, and now he’s participating in Special Olympics, which he really enjoys, Aktion Club, and Self-Advocacy Club. And we have another gentleman who’s had a series of very difficult behaviors at times, and in working with his doctor and our clinicians he’s learned to deal with his emotions in a better way, and is now able to go on trips that no one ever thought he’d be able to do, including Disney.

Q: What is one story or memory from your time as a House Manager that has made you smile?

A: Honestly, it’s very hard to pick just one. It’s in the day-to-day stuff. There will be days where I walk in to work and I may not be in a great mood for whatever reason, and then one of the people I support just comes into the office, so full of energy and silliness and making jokes, and it just turns my mood right around. The fact that when I come in the individuals are all so happy to see me, and they come to me with their wants, needs, difficulties… It feels good.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?

A: I’m actually related to the Rockefeller family. There are pictures of my mother having dinners at Rockefeller mansion in the city. It’s a distant relation but it’s there and it’s fun! Another is that I’ve been crocheting for over 35 years and have won speed crochet championships.

Q: Is there anything else you wanted to point out that we didn’t talk about today?

A: I just want to say that I live and work in constant gratitude of my staff. This work really is about teamwork, and none of us can do it on our own. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and in sharing those we’re able to work remarkably well together and find successes. I’m always grateful to my team.