Jody H. Wagner, Executive Director
I am extraordinarily proud to say that
I have worked for this fine corporation for over 30 years. I began my career
in the field of human services fresh out of college in the fall of 1973. My
initial position was as a Therapeutic Activity Worker for the Berks County
Chapter of Retarded Citizens - now known as The ARC. I enjoyed coming to
work each day and realized the reason was that I truly loved what I was
doing. As I changed positions from Instructor to Social Development
Supervisor and eventually to Program Director, I always wondered how I was
so darn lucky to have the very best job in the entire organization. Of
course, I now know that it wasn’t necessarily the job, but my attitude
toward that job that made me feel it was absolutely “the best.”
In 1977, Prospectus Berco was
established and as a new service provider assumed operation of the
residential and day programs run by The ARC. I was the Program Director for
Prospectus Berco’s day program at that time and have since had the honor of
being the Day Services Administrator and for the last 13 years the
Corporation’s Executive Director. I am sincere when I say I have never lost
my love for what I do. Of course, working at Prospectus Berco does give us
an advantage over the rest of the world. Every single day that we walk
through the door we have the opportunity to be inspired by individuals who
face multiple challenges with courage and dignity while openly appreciating
us as one of the gifts in their lives. I’d like to leave you with a few
valuable lessons I’ve learned from some of the men and women with
disabilities I’ve had the pleasure of knowing at Prospectus Berco...
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Smiling is
contagious and good for your soul
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Sometimes
looking into someone’s eyes can tell you all you really need to know
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Being kind
to others can make you a hero
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Taking time
to ask someone how they’re doing AND truly listening to their answer can
make that person’s day
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Say thank
you and mean it
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Rather than
thinking about what blessings you’re going to get today, be a blessing to
someone else
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Each day is
a new opportunity to “get it right”
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There’s
nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it
-
Appreciate
the people in your life every single day
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Happiness
is not about having all you want, it’s about being thankful for what you
have
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No obstacle
is insurmountable if you believe in yourself and have people in your life
who care about you
-
Do what you
love and success will surely follow
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