By Neve Coe
Keysa is a doer. As a mom to three kids and a BCArc employee of over fifteen years, she feels she has “been put on the planet to care for people and give love.”
Keysa first started working at BCArc as a relief staff at twenty years old, while raising two children. She had recently left her job at Old Country Buffet and looked to BCArc as she knew of her sister’s experience working for the agency. At the time, she was also pursuing a degree at Berkshire Community College for special education. Though she had to stop her schooling to focus on her family, Keysa worked her way up in a residential home and held the position of Assistant Director, followed by Director. Keysa stepped down from this role upon the rise of the pandemic, working working as relief staff at a Day Habilitation Program aimed towards individual independence. Coming out of Covid, Keysa began at a Community Based Day Program to support individuals’ growth within the community.
“I like it all,” Keysa said when discussing her different roles for BCArc. “I have a lot of energy, so I love bringing the individuals on outings.”
“I just fell in love with them,” she added. “You get attached to the individuals you’re working with… you have to be emotionally brave to move on” within the agency.
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Keysa recalled never encountering the opportunity to interact with people with disabilities. Having built a career out of human services, she is able to support individuals and foster genuine relationships among staff and individuals alike.
Keysa was initially nervous about how much she would have to learn within each position, between each individual’s name and personality, and administrative tasks such as reports and paperwork. She is proud to have proven herself and her ability to learn so quickly.
She loves that she continues to learn and add to her knowledge surrounding human services, in every aspect. Aside from spending time with individuals, Keysa enjoys getting to know them through their profiles and reports. Administrative tasks such as these broaden her understanding of the profession.
Considering the all-encompassing work of this field, Keysa relayed, “I ask for help when I need it… I have to do my job.”
