When an “Aide” Isn’t Quite Who You Think…
Every once in a while, someone walks into your organization and, within a matter of weeks, you wonder how you ever functioned without them.
For us, that person has been Rasheada.
For the past three months, Rasheada has been our administrative assistant at UR Community Cares, bringing organization, quick thinking, wit, laughter, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to keep up with the wonderfully unpredictable world of nonprofit life.
And when we say unpredictable, we mean it.
At UR Community Cares, you might start the morning answering phones about transportation for older adults, spend the afternoon discussing technology classes, answer a question about vision resources, coordinate volunteers, plan a community event, and at the end of the day filling spreadsheets.
It takes a special person to keep up.
Rasheada has done exactly that.
This week I walked out of a meeting, and Rasheada said: “Geoff’s aide, Alex, said Geoff Is Coming.”
Rasheada had just answered the phone and spoke with someone who introduced themselves as Alex, an aide to Geoff Luxenberg.
Now, if you don’t immediately recognize that name or if you’re new to the world of Connecticut politics, let’s just say Rasheada’s mental picture of the situation was… slightly different from reality.
She apparently imagined an older gentleman named Geoff who had a personal care assistant.
And that aide was calling because Geoff was planning to attend our upcoming Memory in Motion event and wanted a ride on the Cycling Without Age rickshaw.
Rasheada was thrilled.
Of course! Wonderful! Another community member coming to the event!
She was also thinking, How nice that his aide is arranging everything for him.
Meanwhile, the actual Geoff Luxenberg is State Representative Geoff Luxenberg, who represents Manchester.
And suddenly, the phrase “Geoff’s aide” made a whole lot more sense.
It was one of those moments when everyone involved probably needed a little more context and maybe a diagram.
But honestly, it made us laugh.
And it also reminded us of something important:
Not everyone speaks nonprofit, government, healthcare, or community-service language.
We throw around titles, abbreviations and acronyms all day long.
Rasheada’s story was a perfect reminder that sometimes you just have to stop, explain the acronym, explain the title, and when appropriate, have a good laugh together.
Three Months, A Lot of Laughter, Thanks to American Job Center
In just three months, Rasheada has become part of the fabric of UR Community Cares.
She’s helped bring order to the chaos.
She’s answered phones.
She’s organized.
She’s learned our programs.
She’s figured out who does what, where things are supposed to go, which event is happening when, and probably most importantly, didn’t ever get upset when I asked her to do 5 things at once.
That’s nonprofit life.
And she’s handled it with humor.
But behind the laughter is something we appreciate even more: Rasheada really cares.
She has shown up, jumped in, learned quickly, and supported the work we do for older adults, people with disabilities, volunteers, families, and the broader community.
Sometimes administrative support doesn’t get the spotlight.
But anyone who has ever worked in a small nonprofit knows that administrative support can be the difference between organized chaos and… well, just chaos.
And Then There’s Memory in Motion…
Which brings us to this Saturday. Rasheada will be there, so Geoff, stop by to say “Hi”!
On Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, UR Community Cares is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter for Memory in Motion, a community event celebrating healthy living, accessibility, inclusion, movement, and the power of creating meaningful memories together.
Participants are encouraged to park at the Little Theatre of Manchester, head toward the end of Elm Street, and enjoy a 1- to 3-mile walk or bike ride, choosing the distance that best fits their abilities and comfort level.
And when you reach Vaz House Cafe, you may even be in for a sweet treat.
There will be:
* Music
* Giveaways
* Refreshments
* Food
* A nature doodle station
* Cycling Without Age
* Community connection
* and plenty of opportunities to make a new memory
Thank you, Rasheada
Three months may not sound like a long time.
But three months in the world of UR Community Cares can feel like three years, weekly events, hundreds of phone calls, compiling several spreadsheets, and much more..
Rasheada, thank you for bringing your organization, humor, patience, intelligence, and laughter to UR Community Cares.
Thank you for jumping into the middle of everything and helping us keep moving.
We’re grateful for the time we had with you and will miss you dearly.
See you Saturday at Memory in Motion! Come walk. Come ride. Come laugh. Come make a memory.
Michelle Puzzo, Executive Director
For more information, contact UR Community Cares at 860-430-4557
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