Residential support staff Aya Brou Espe Koume, or Chantal, as she is known by her friends and co-workers, has been described as someone who puts her entire heart into her job.
Chantal moved to the United States from Ivory Coast in 2015, and began working at BCArc in 2017. She has worked at West St since the beginning of her BCArc career, and her duties include cooking dinner, doing laundry, showering individuals, making sure everyone is safe, and doing computer work.
“I am very sensitive and I like the job because it gives me the opportunity to help someone with special needs,” said Chantal.
Chantal’s favorite activity to do with the individuals she works with is coloring after dinner. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, and will often talk on the phone with her family members who live in Africa.
BCArc Relief and Residential Supervisor Erwin Figueroa had nothing but praise for Chantal, calling her one of his key staff members and someone that he knows he can always depend on. Erwin also nominated Chantal for the 2022 BCArc Support Staff of the Year Award, which she won.
“I nominated her because of how much she has given to the program,” said Erwin. “She is very caring with individuals. The heart that she puts into the job that she does is what I admire most.”
Erwin also stated that he believes that Chantal would make a great site manager and that the West St program would not be the same without her. Although she has decided to remain in residential support for the time being rather than becoming a site manager, Chantal praised BCArc for the support she has been shown throughout her time working here and the overall positive work environment.
“BCArc is really a good company,” she said. “They give employees the opportunity to enjoy their job, not only because of the pay, but they also make the house very comfortable to work in.”
