Since its founding, KenCrest has always been blessed to have many dedicated and passionate individuals who go above and beyond to support its mission. Numerous employees started their careers at KenCrest and have remained for decades. One such individual is Sharita Johnson, the Scheduling Manager, who has been with KenCrest for 15 years.
Sharita began her career at KenCrest as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), working closely with an individual with severe behaviors. Despite the high turnover rate at the site, Sharita's determination and resilience shone through. She spent two years as this individual’s one-to-one DSP, a role many found daunting. Sharita's ability to build trust and provide consistent care made her an invaluable asset.
After working in that home, Sharita took on the role of floater in various homes across KenCrest. She was often assigned to the most challenging sites, allowing her commitment and care to multiply through each home she supported. She quickly rose through the ranks and became Assistant Supervisor, which was incredibly daunting to her at first. However, as with everything she did, Sharita jumped into her new leadership role with a determination to do the best job possible.
Five years ago, Sharita transitioned to the scheduling department. Her DSP experience and deep understanding of the needs of both staff and the people we support have made her an excellent fit for this role. Sharita's ability to build strong relationships with DSPs and her hands-on approach have been instrumental in ensuring that our scheduling processes run smoothly. “I still have that relationship with a lot of the DSPs; they trust me and know that I am going to do the best I can for them,” she explains.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharita played a crucial role in managing the challenges that came. She was responsible for executing live-in models and managing quarantines, often negotiating with staff to ensure they had everything they needed while living away from home. Her empathetic approach and strong communication skills helped build trust and foster a sense of community during a difficult time.
“You had to be a people’s person; you had to put yourself in their shoes and think about what that person needs are to be in that home and take care of those individuals,” she says. “In this role, you need to communicate, listen, and take the concerns they have into consideration. I don’t just ignore their worries, I talk with them and try my best to ensure I meet their needs where they are.”
Sharita's impact at KenCrest extends beyond her professional achievements. She has built meaningful relationships with the people KenCrest supports and its employees, often going above and beyond to make them feel valued and loved.
Sharita's story powerfully reminds us of the impact one person can have on an organization and its community. We are deeply grateful for her invaluable contributions and eagerly anticipate many more years of exceptional leadership and support.