Jake's Story

Jake Thomas once spent his days in retail and sales, watching the clock and living for his days off. While his coworkers chased sales goals, Jake felt uninspired and unfulfilled. He knew he needed a change but wasn’t sure what that would be—until he stumbled upon a job listing for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Homes for Independent Living (HIL), a MyPath Company. Remembering his mom once worked there, he applied despite having no experience.

Jake accepted a role in a behavioral home, not fully knowing what to expect. The work was eye-opening and challenging, but he quickly grew to love it and stayed for five years. Though he left HIL for a time, he returned and has been back for the past two years. He now works third shift in a more medically acute program, which he enjoys.

A true team player, Jake begins each shift by checking in on the clients—"the guys"—and figuring out how he can best support the team. Whether it's finishing tasks from the previous shift or easing the load for the next, Jake takes pride in doing his best work.

For him, the clients are the most rewarding part of the job. Drawing from his own life experiences, Jake approaches his work with empathy, patience, and understanding. “You’re there for their ups and downs,” he says. “It feels great to be the steady presence helping make their days better.”

Though some friends and family question his career choice, especially the personal care aspect, Jake explains: “Even on the hard or quiet days, there are never ‘zero days.’ Every day is a chance to make a difference.”

Jake has found more than a job at HIL—he has found a meaningful and fulfilling career. He values the support of his supervisors, the camaraderie of his coworkers, and, most importantly, the bond he shares with his clients. HIL is proud to have Jake as part of the team.