Employee Spotlight: Meet Rachel

Tell everyone a bit about your work here at OHB. What’s a typical day like for you?

I am a Residential Specialist and I work primarily with the Crisis Stabilization Program. I oversee all the youth cases from intake to discharge. I work with the youth directly, their education staff, therapists, parents, and Youth Advocates to ensure youth are being given the best care and meeting goals they set for themselves while at OHB. I also supervise the Youth Advocates working with the youth in the Crisis Stabilization Program. A typical day for me involves team meetings for youth, supervisions with staff, staff team meetings, interacting with youth, observing youth, and tackling any challenges that come up throughout the day.  

What do you enjoy most about your career at OHB?

I enjoy that no two days are the same, but the work never changes. We are all working together to better the lives of those around us and yet we do that differently on a day-to-day basis. I am motivated by the opportunity that exists when working with youth. There’s always something new to try and the information we gain working with each new youth is information we can use to better our services. I am always excited to try new approaches and to learn by doing.

Of what are you most proud during your time at OHB?

I am proud of introducing Restorative Justice to the campus and to the youth specifically. Each week, we meet and discuss various topics. I’m proud that after the first couple months, the youth have come to look forward to the meetings and you can tell the community within the group is starting to build. We use the meetings to discuss their wants and needs on campus, but also just as a way to get to know each other. It’s been really cool to see the youth look forward to the meetings as a way to get their needs met and voices heard.  

All about you…

Where did you grow up? Where are you from?

Mead, NE

What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?

Traveling, baking, cooking, gardening, playing with my dog, new restaurants, hosting at my house, movies, and spending time with family and friends

If you were doing karaoke tonight, what would you sing?

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion because a karaoke DJ once told me I wouldn’t be good enough to sing it. He was right. I can’t sing whatsoever, but it’s a fun song to put on a show!

If you could…

If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

My dad – simply because I miss him and would love to have a conversation with him!

If you had a year off, with pay, what would you do?

Travel and gain as much knowledge as possible by experiencing other cultures! 

If you could master one skill you don’t currently have, what would it be and why?

Speaking another language. I think it’s an important skill and one I’d use often.

Tell us about…

The song that always puts in you in the mood to dance

Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones or Paper Rings by Taylor Swift

Your #1 guilty pleasure

Reality TV

Your absolute perfect day

Waking up refreshed, coffee with my wife in the backyard playing fetch with our dog, food with family/friends, revelry with family/friends, ending the day with a glass of wine by the firepit in the backyard.

This or That

Taco Tuesdays or Sushi Saturdays?

Taco Tuesdays

Work Hard or Play Hard?

Playing hard is only fun if I work hard first…