By Morgan Banta-Ryan
Joachim immigrated from the Ivory Coast in 2004 with his wife and son in search of better opportunities for his family. They landed in New York, then moved to Florida where their son graduated high school. When their son chose to attend college in the northeast, Joachim and his wife settled in Pittsfield to be closer to his son and his wife’s aunt, who lived in Pittsfield.
“I like to help people, that’s all. . . . Many of the individuals need help doing everyday things: so how will they shower, how will they eat, how will they get ready for bed without our help?”
Joachim first started helping people back on the Ivory Coast, where he worked as a police officer. He wanted to continue to help others and his community, so he took a home health care position when he arrived in New York. When he came to Pittsfield, he discovered BCArc – his wife’s aunt had two children who worked at BCArc. It was a no-brainer for Joachim to apply.
“I like to help people, that’s all,” he said when asked about working at BCArc. “The individuals need help, and I’m happy to step up and help. Many of them need help doing everyday things: so how will they shower, how will they eat, how will they get ready for bed without our help?”
Joachim works the relief position from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. and has bonded with the individuals he works with. As a relief employee, he can make his own decisions about certain shifts.
“The longer you work, the more you know the individuals, the more you know what they like, and what they don’t,” he said.
Joachim notes that he likes everything about human services but the pay. “More money would be great. I’d have more to send back home to help my people and help them set up businesses in the Ivory Coast.”
