Meet Hazel Barrett

Thank you to Hazel Barrett, Living Skills Instructor, for helping to write today's blog.

My name is Hazel. I’m a quiet woman, much like my mom in many ways. I’m focused on what needs to be done, and I stick with it until it’s accomplished. I’m not much of a leader, but I’ll work alongside the leader to accomplish any task.

I first heard about Shepherds at the age of eighteen when two young people with intellectual disabilities from my church came to live at Shepherds. My older sister decided God had called her to serve Him at Shepherds so I helped my dad drive her from New York State to Union Grove, WI. A few months later, I also believed that God was calling me to serve Him at Shepherds… so I made the long drive again.

I have now served the Lord at Shepherds for 41 years in a number of positions – House Mother, Night Worker, Unit Supervisor, and Living Skills Instructor (LSI).

As an LSI, I currently serve thirteen men in Unit 14 Cook Cottage. I teach them basic living skills such as bathing, shaving, brushing their teeth, how to do laundry, and how to clean their rooms. We also work on skills like setting the table for meals, proper portions of food for each meal, and sweeping and mopping the floors after meals. Chores are assigned for some of the responsibilities such as folding towels and putting them away.

Working with these men is important, but I believe the most important responsibility I have is being an example of God’s love. We spend time every evening reading God’s Word, working on the memory verse for the month, and sharing prayer requests. I want the men to see Christ in my life and in my attitude. I want them to feel free to come to me with any concerns they have on their hearts.

God has given me a great love for people, as well as for sewing. I feel so blessed to be able to use both gifts in my work at Shepherds!

After 41 years, I have lots of wonderful memories associated with Shepherds, but my best memory is of the morning after I led one of my teen girls to Christ. Back in the 1970s, House Mothers, as we were called then, lived right in the area where the children had their rooms. I was awakened that morning on my day off by a very excited young girl telling everyone, “My heart is clean! My heart is clean! Jesus!”

I may be quiet, but I enjoy a good laugh too. Funny things happen at Shepherds all the time! One day during my House Mother years, one of my little girls came out of her room so proud because she had dressed herself – she had her legs through the sleeves of her blouse! And one day I looked everywhere for my tiniest girl to take her to school. I finally found her – fully dressed and sitting inside the toilet bowl with a big smile on her face.

Over the years, I’ve learned that people with intellectual disabilities are no different than me. We all have areas in our lives that we struggle with; we all have disabilities. But we all have God-given talents and abilities too. God made each of us according to His plan for our lives. 

Working at Shepherds has strengthened my faith. I’ve seen God answer thousands of prayers these last 41 years! Nothing is too hard for our God.

A Special Kind of Person

The first principle of our philosophy of Appropriate Independence is Created on Purpose, For Purpose. This belief naturally leads to some pretty serious questions like, “What is my purpose?” and “How do I find my purpose?”

At Shepherds, we look at each person, whether a client, resident, student or staff, and seek out his or her spiritual gifts, talents and abilities. Then we encourage each person to use these gifts in service to others.

For some of us, this might involve using our ability to read to lead story time at the local elementary school. Or using our understanding of nutrition to create healthy and well-balanced menus for the residents’ meals. Or using our gift of hospitality to welcome volunteers to campus.

We all seem to be very content with our roles because we fit so well. It’s why our residents and students with intellectual disabilities grow and thrive. And it’s why our staff members retire after thirty years, rather than quit after six months.

That being said, I want you to meet an amazing group of people - our Living Skills Instructors (LSIs). These

men and women have a combination of talents, abilities and characteristics that I believe are unique to people who do what they do. They have a distinctive set of gifts that make them fit in our ministry with irreplaceable purpose.

They work directly with our residents, helping with tasks like bathing, personal hygiene, dressing and housekeeping. 

They serve food, and feed the residents if necessary.

They handle the scary stuff, like shaving, med passing, and helping in the bathroom.

They create a home for the people of Shepherds with their care and commitment and loving direction.

They also teach God’s love to our residents every day through their words and actions.

Up in the Findley Center, which houses HR, IT, the Business Office and the Development Office, we’re a bit in awe of the LSIs. I hear many conversations that go something like this, “Tony is having a tough day, but Dan was able to comfort him,” or “Praise God that Mark was around to help Brian,” or “I didn’t know what to do when Faith got sick, but Kaitlin rushed right over.” We’ve all come to the conclusion that it takes a very special kind of person to be an LSI. Here’s our unofficial list of qualifications for the job: 

“Must be loving, caring, calm, patient, organized, and firm when needed. Must put self aside and focus completely on the care, comfort and security of other human beings. Must deal with potentially embarrassing and humiliating situations, but have the grace, empathy and respect to maintain the dignity of the client at all times. Must remain clear-thinking and level-headed in all situations, no exceptions. Must love God and have a desire to share Jesus with people who have intellectual disabilities.”

To sum it up, LSIs are the front line, ground zero people who put the “hands-on ministry” in Shepherds Ministries.

These important people were honored at a banquet last Wednesday. Their Case Managers and Supervisors planned and executed a special event to show each one of them just how much they are appreciated at Shepherds.

They played Family Feud with answers submitted by other staff and residents. 

Raffle tickets were given to the winners so they could select prizes donated from area businesses.The prizes were so generous! A teeth whitening from a local dentist, a hanging plant from Milaegers, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Culvers gift cards, The Salon Within package and four non-consecutive days of wearing jeans to work!

There was lots of warm fellowship and relaxed laughter.

The homemade food was plentiful and delicious. The lasagna and chicken casserole were particular favorites.

Stories, memories and advice were shared between long-term staff and the newbies.

And the evening wouldn’t have been complete without a Code Black weather emergency. Several of the LSIs neglected their own safety to check on the residents who were in the care of volunteers - the college staff who donated their time to help the residents during the banquet so the LSIs could have a much-deserved break. (See this story tomorrow in the Shepherds College blog, Time to Fly.)

I forgot to mention one more important attribute of the LSIs as a whole – they’re so humble! They’re not rewarded by the paycheck or the party, they are blessed by “the love and affection of the residents, all the hugs and kisses. And we get to be involved in a ministry that is so passionate about helping others while teaching them to reach their full potential as an individual in Christ.”

Thank you LSIs! Your selfless service inspires us all.