Site Manager Craig, Residential Support Charlie, and Assistant Manager St. James
It takes a team to manage a group home. But it takes a committed and passionate team to make that home a supportive, happy place for the individuals who live there. At a home in Richmond, at least 10 staff members work together — and around the clock — to support the lives and goals of four men with developmental disabilities.
Led by house manager Craig Conover and assistant manager St. James Boss, they strive to create stability while working toward each of the goals set annually for the individuals.
“Because we’re a strong, consistent staff, the house is generally calm,” said Craig. “Like all of us, they have their daily activities—they go to programs or have jobs in the day—and at night we make dinner, eat, maybe shop for food, shower, and it’s bed time before you know it.”
Asst. Manager St. James, a Bronx native who recently started at BCArc after seven years in Las Vegas, finds the staff relationships unique. “We’re all pretty mature and have years of work experience, we know who we are, and are open about our strengths and weaknesses. For example, I like to cook, others don’t, so I cook while they handle other tasks. Things like that make this house work so well.”
St. James, left, and Ryan, who lives at the house.
There’s occasional conflict, health issues, physical challenges, and more. Fortunately, this program is positioned to handle anything. “Jim likes to go horseback riding, Cory likes dinner and the movies, they talk to their families on their phone, or some families visit every weekend.”
Asked about the hardest part of the job, Craig said, “There’s not really a hardest part. They all have plans and goals we follow, which have been determined by them, their families, guardians, and caretakers. We stick to the plans because the plans work.”
Craig came to BCArc from Schenectady, N.Y., where he was managing a federally-funded health center, overseeing a $4 million grant for substance abuse. He has a degree in criminal justice and intends to pursue another degree in psychiatric registered nursing. He joined BCArc only four months ago.
For the most part, Craig explained, “We help the individuals do the things they can’t do on their own. It takes time to get to know each of them, to understand their habits, preferences, diets, relationships, and so on. Before you know it, you develop a pretty strong one-on-one bond with each of them.”
Charlie, a staff member who provides residential support, just shifted from part-time relief work at BCArc to full time at the Richmond house. He stayed in the previous position far longer than he expected, due to a bond he developed with an older individual who recently passed away (Charlie served as a pallbearer at the man’s funeral).
St. James likes to take individuals on small trips outside the house. “That’s when they really open up, and let you see a different side of them,” he said. “I like having that freedom of taking them places and getting close to them.”
On a recent Thursday night, an individual who lives at the home returned from his daytime program at BCArc’s Social Development Center in Dalton. After relaxing in the living room with the staff and fixing himself a snack, St. James told him that the two of them were going to Applebees for dinner, one of his favorite restaurants.
He turned elated, clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Now I’m happy. What a great surprise.” He spent the next few minutes celebrating.
“Where else do you get to make someone this happy,” St. James said. “I look forward to the meal as much as he does because he makes you feel good about it.”
