I just started my twenty-second year working for the Marshall County Group Homes, Inc. in Argyle, Minnesota- way up north close to the Canadian border. I am a Case Counselor for four women with intellectual disabilities and love my job.
I will be 66 in two months and have a husband that wishes for me to retire. I AM NOT ready to leave my precious ladies, although there are days I am totally exhausted. They keep us staff on our toes. Two are in their forties and two are in their fifties. We have one resident that likes to take things that aren't hers, including money from a staff member's purse, so we have to be on constant guard.
Our jobs are many- keeping the books, running to doctor's appointments and carefully distributing medications, buying groceries and making meals, cleaning, buying the ladies their clothing, and helping with personal care and goals to name a few. We try so hard to keep expenses down at the house. Many outings are off the dollar menu at McDonald's to save money.
Our hours are nothing to brag about 2-10 pm; 10 pm to 8 am; weekends. Our pay is even less to brag about. I get paid the most and after 21 years, I earn $12.44 an hour, and less for overnight and weekends. It would really be nice to have a comfortable salary.
Why do I stay? Like I said, the ladies I support are precious. They think we staff do no wrong. They give us hugs and say "I love you" often. How can you not feel good about yourself?
--Gloria Gostanzik, Argyle, MN
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