Being Thankful Daily

“I am thankful that every day here at Boundless is a new opportunity.”

November is the season of gratitude and is a great time of year to think about what you’re thankful for. We asked some staff members to weigh in this year about who and what they’re grateful for and how they flex those gratitude muscles every day.

What are you thankful for?

Laura Bryant, registered behavior technician (RBT) for SOAR and ELM: I am thankful for the families that trust us with their children daily to change their lives and their families' lives. I am thankful I have the heart and ability to serve our individuals daily. I am thankful that every day here at Boundless is a new opportunity and that I am learning and growing in the behavioral health field. I am extremely thankful that people around me have seen where I am and where I am trying to go and they help me to get there, whether it be with words of encouragement or words or wisdom. I am thankful for my support system within boundless and I’m more than thankful for my support system outside of work, my family and friends.

Todd Mitchell, operations manager for Worthington center-based services: My second granddaughter, Clara, was born on June 15th. She has been such a blessing. I’m thankful for family, friends and their good health. I also bought a retirement home in Arizona.

Kara Dolan, behavior specialist for Worthington center-based services: This year I'm thankful for the relationships built between colleagues, friends, and family this year. The past few years have been very wonky (for everyone!), but I have felt the most support from and between people in my life this year.

LaTasha Warren, supervisor for Koinonia Enterprises Day Program: I'm thankful for all the new opportunities that have been presented to me this year. Each opportunity has provided me with a chance to prove to myself that I am capable of doing anything and everything that I commit myself to. Even if it didn't work out in my favor, I was able to grow, learn and better myself.

Brendan Downing, clinic coordinator for ELM: I celebrated my first anniversary with Boundless on October 24, and lately have found myself reflecting on the multitude of blessings that have graced my life both personally and professionally. At the forefront is the incredible journey I've experienced since joining the I Am Boundless family. As a veteran teacher, professor, and college administrator, I never envisioned myself in this adjacent field, let alone the profound impact that working with the I/DD population would have on my life. This unexpected path has become a source of immeasurable joy, challenge, and growth. The professional and personal strides I've made in the time spent here have been nothing short of transformative. Working with the I/DD community has been a journey that constantly challenges me, brings a smile to my face, warms my heart, and most importantly, has exponentially increased my empathy and compassion for this remarkable community and for everyone I come in contact within my life. The experiences I've had with our individuals have been a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and I am grateful for every lesson they've imparted to me.

Bekhym Applegate, behavior support specialist for Kimberly Woods, Forest Hills, and McDowell: This year I'm most thankful for my friends and family who have supported me through the roller-coaster we call life.

Felicia Contreras, behavior technician for Stepping Up and Stepping Forward: I am thankful for all of my family and friends who help me stay mentally healthy and keep me smiling every day. I’m glad to see another year, as I had many friends and family pass away this year. Life is too short, so it is important to me to make sure I show love and appreciation to everyone who means so much to me.

Scott Bresee, DSP at Medina BCP (BOUNDLESS COMMUNITY PATHWAYS): I am so thankful for my family and the many blessings I have been given. I am thankful for the work I get to do at Boundless in serving our people.

How do you practice gratitude in your daily life?

Laura Bryant: Every single day I show gratitude by putting a smile on my face and encouragement in my heart. I wake up and I thank God that I have strength in my body to run miles with the clients as soon as they get here. I thank God that I have a sense of humor that keeps our clients engaged. In everything I do I give thanks because I know that I am blessed to bless others. I don’t take waking up every morning and coming to work lightly. I thank the people who have been patient with my growth and those who continue to speak and encourage life in me when days may be hard for me. Every day I know I am giving back and that’s more than enough to be thankful for.

Todd Mitchell: Expressing my appreciation of others by a simple thank you, smile, hug and letting them know how much they mean to me.

Kara Dolan: It is challenging to remember to be grateful daily, but I try to remember to get outside in nature to feel more humbled and appreciative of the world!

LaTasha Warren: I journal daily. Even when I consider it to be a bad or difficult day, I can always find something positive.

Brendan Downing: In my daily life, gratitude is not just a practice; it's a guiding principle. I commence and conclude each day with moments of reflection, journaling down the blessings that often go unnoticed. However, gratitude is not confined to these bookends of my day. I consciously infuse wonder and thankfulness into every situation, approaching each moment with a lens that seeks out the positive. It's a mindful and a heart full of gratitude I am more able to appreciate the small joys and navigate the big and small challenges of life!

Bekhym Applegate: Every day, I wake up with the intent to help as many people as I can and I am thankful I am in a place to do that!

Felicia Contreras: By letting my work crew know how what we do every day is something truly special. The way we provide such care for our clients shows when parents reach out to thank us. High fives, smiles, treats and dancing are all ways I show my appreciation to everyone.

Scott Bresee: Voicing what I am thankful for each day and expressing thanks to others that have made a good impact on me.

What staff members are you especially thankful you work with?

Laura Bryant: Sara Grote is an amazing clinic director (CD)! Sarah Stevens is a great board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), and she is very helpful and always there to give great feedback and encouragement throughout the day. She is so kind a sweet and has a motherly type of love that I sense from her, and her feedback is always to help you! I am also thankful for Sam & Tory, we started on the same at SOAR back in 2022 they have been constant encouragement. Many behavior technicians (BT) here in our building are so helpful and flexible, so shout-out to the entire Building L on the Worthington Campus.

Todd Mitchell: I'm thankful to all center-based staff. I've had the privilege to meet and work with some amazing people. To my fearless supervisor, Sam Banks, thank you for all you do, you are truly a leader.

Kara Dolan: I'm thankful for everyone on our team as we all support each other through very unique situations regularly, but I couldn't ask for a better management team for both mental and physical support daily!

LaTasha Warren: I'm grateful for all the staff at KE. They show up and work hard to provide a safe and enriching environment for our individuals daily. Their commitment is impeccable.

Brendan Downing: I am particularly indebted to the incredible team of BTs, clinic coordinators (CC), behavior analysts (BA), and CDs I've had the privilege to work with. Their dedication to going above and beyond to help our individuals reach their goals is awe-inspiring. The ways in which they consistently push themselves and each other to grow is a testament to the culture of excellence and compassion that permeates our work environment. I am in a debt of gratitude to every single BT, RBT, CC, BS, BA, and CD working on the SOAR and ELM teams. As our separate teams have become one family over the last few weeks, I am especially grateful to the leadership of Sara Grote and Chelsea Kraus for the role they've played and continue to play in helping our two teams come together as one family.

Bekhym Applegate: Jen LaLuzerne has been my rock since starting here at Boundless, I'm lucky to have worked with her the last five years! I've made connections with people who I will never forget, like Miranda Thissen, Merry Kauffman, Kendra Hartshorn, Sasha Hughes, Tracie Reddy, and many more!

Felicia Contreras: Markie, Atashha, Stephen, Lauren, Chastity, Jane, Sereatha, Jose, Erin, Borfora, everyone in Building R. We are an amazing team who helps at the drop of dime in all types of situations. We keep each other safe, and we all laugh together and even cry when sometimes together.

Scott Bresee: All of them. Brad, Lisa and Kevin have been such a great encouragement and support to me.

We hope this inspires you to take a few moments and count your blessings this Thanksgiving and every day.