Her Story
About Cheryl
My journey into social services began out of necessity and love when I had a premature baby in 1996. My daughter Bethany was born at just 1 pound 12 ounces with only a 5 or 10% chance of survival, and I didn't get to hold her for the first time until my birthday at the end of January. That experience put me into medical social work, where I had to learn all the ins and outs and depend on the kindness of others to get through it all. At that time, I didn't even have a high school diploma, so I went back to school, got my GED, and then finished 2 associates, a bachelor's, and a master's in 5 years, all in the field of social work, psychology, sociology, and counseling, all while raising 4 kids. I even got an EMT license because I needed to know what to do in an emergency with my child. When Bethany got old enough to be out of school, I started taking care of her full-time and also took care of other people, elderly and disabled, through the Department of Rehabilitation. I devoted my whole life to taking care of her and keeping her home for 28 years. After she passed away last year in August, I decided to do something with my education and took a position in case management for Bethany Christian Services. When they called me for the job, I felt like it was a sign from the universe because my daughter's name was Bethany, and this became my new Bethany and my new life purpose. I coordinate counseling, doctor's appointments, house visits, and safety checks for families in need through DCFS subcontracting, providing every resource in the community to help them be more sufficient. Along the way, I've also adopted two of my grandchildren through foster care, so I've had extensive experience with the DCFS field from multiple perspectives. I'm also working on starting my own counseling business called Lift, Listen, Lead, where the philosophy is that you lift yourself up, I'll listen to you, and then we'll lead out of your situation together. I want to offer flexible options like going to people's houses, meeting at restaurants, or even church pews, because I know so many people can't get out or are embarrassed to go to an office, especially caregivers like me who couldn't leave their babies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cheryl
01What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe in being selfless and helping other people, because that's just what I feel like I'm supposed to do. People like us know that we're here for other people, to be selfless and help other people. I'm an Aquarius, so I'm brutally honest, and people will come to me because they know I'll tell them the truth. I've helped a lot of people see things differently and have a better life. I don't want to do anything if I can't grow from it, I'm a lifelong learner. I believe that you don't lose anything in life, you learn. It's either a lesson, or you learn something. Every experience you have in life, you gotta take it, good or bad, and make it positive. It can always be worse. You don't have to make your mark on the world personally, you can plant a tree. It's so much more than being the most well-known person. You can give somebody that one experience that changes their life, and you may never know it, but it's there, it's out there.
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