Road To Responsibility, which offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has always been able to rely on its dedicated staff, but two “quiet heroes” are going above and beyond to support clients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
RTR Human Service Workers Claudia and Elton (last names withheld for privacy), both residents of Brockton, are presently completing a two-week shift at one of RTR’s male group homes.
Claudia volunteered to stay away from her own home, husband and two young sons for the full two weeks and move into one of RTR’s group homes to provide 24/7 support for several residents who have tested positive for the virus. She is joined in this endeavor by Elton, who has worked at this particular group home for the past year-and-a-half.
Both Claudia and Elton, when asked why they would volunteer to remain in a home where a highly contagious virus has been confirmed, had similar responses of, “We know these residents, and we know they are afraid, so we’re here for them.”
While confinement to the group home has been challenging, all are “in good spirits and eating well.” It seems that Claudia is a fine cook and has prepared many scrumptious homemade meals, some with a Cape Verdean flair. Her culinary expertise has been augmented by other special meals, courtesy of one of the program’s residential directors.
Once Claudia and Elton complete their two-week shift, they will leave the program and spend two weeks isolating at home, during which time they will be tested for the coronavirus.
In the meantime, Claudia Facetimes with her children a few times a day and checks in with her husband – who is also an RTR employee – to see how well he is holding down the home fort.
“Claudia and Elton are two of the many quiet heroes at RTR who are fighting the silent enemy, COVID-19 with homemade masks, paper gowns, gloves and a healthy dose of love and compassion,” said Christopher White, Ed.D., CEO of Road To Responsibility, Inc. “Residential operations continue to provide around-the-clock care for all our individuals, with many dedicated direct support professionals Making Lives Better, even in the midst of this pandemic.”
To learn more about how you can make an impact, or donate needed supplies such as masks, gowns, and other personal protection equipment, contact Erin Cohen at ecohen@rtrinc.org.
Road To Responsibility Inc., established in 1988, offers residential, work/employment, day habilitation and other day supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at 49 residences as well as cooperative and supportive living apartments and manages nine day service locations that focus on education, employment, and community enrichment. Road To Responsibility’s main office is located at 1831 Ocean Street, Marshfield. For more information, visit www.roadtoresponsibility.org.
