Mary's Story

Mary Gleason began her journey with MyPath at Homes for Independent Living (HIL) in September 2024. She started as a part-time Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the North Central Region. Mary has been a caregiver for most of her life, beginning in kindergarten when she would stand up for and befriend others who were being picked on. From the start, she knew she had found the right place to work, saying it “feels like home.” Mary quickly requested to train at the other HIL programs, which expanded her ability to positively impact clients’ lives. This ultimately led to her transitioning into a full-time DSP role.

Some of Mary’s favorite activities with clients include taking them out to community events such as dances, dining out, and bowling. The joy and smiles she sees on the clients’ faces are what make her love her job. Mary shares, “The best part of my job is knowing that I am making a difference in their lives, watching them grow, and helping them do things for themselves – no matter how big or small the accomplishment is.”

Mary has truly embraced this role as more than just a job – it’s become her career. She’s proud of the work HIL does to support clients and has even referred others to join the team. “It is very important work; the clients know I’ll be there, and they’re always happy to see me. I can help them experience new things,” she says.

One of Mary’s most cherished memories at HIL is taking clients to a dance. From helping them get dressed up and do their hair, to seeing their excitement and pure joy, Mary says, “We never stopped dancing!” It was a night full of fun for both Mary and the clients – a memory that will always stay with her.

Another memorable moment for Mary was working with a client who had the opportunity to gain job experience at a floral shop. The client was eager to learn more about flowers and plants in preparation for the role, so Mary spent time with her, showing her magazines and teaching her about the different types of plants and flowers she’d encounter at the shop. Reflecting on this experience, Mary says she enjoyed it just as much as the client did, knowing she had helped her feel more prepared and confident.

Mary shares, “I feel the bond I have with clients and my co-workers has helped me grow as a person. It makes the job rewarding to have that bond.” There’s no doubt that Mary has brought a calm, positive energy to every program she’s worked in. The gentle and kind care she provides to each client she interacts with is truly admirable.