Most people are familiar with Lindy Matthews because of her role as Human Resources Manager for Aprendamos Family of Services. As the first team member new employees meet and the leading force behind the company’s employee recruitment efforts, she is well known in the community for her work with the organization. But what many people may not know is that, personally, Lindy is also a mother whose son needed our services.
Lindy and her husband, Michael, had been trying their best to find ways to support their son, Joseph. They had been receiving reports of behavioral issues from Joseph’s daycare, but since Joseph didn’t display any of the negative behaviors at home, they were having difficulty correcting his actions. “I felt extremely discouraged with my child’s daycare experience. I was receiving calls almost every day—four to five times a week—about behavior concerns with Joseph”, she said. “On some mornings when I dropped him off, I saw him being placed at a separate table facing the wall, away from the other children. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to watch my child isolated for behaviors I believed were beyond his control.”
Unfortunately, Lindy also noticed that Joseph’s playtime was often taken away as punishment, even though in her heart she knew he needed that time to release his extra energy. “This created constant anxiety and distress for me, because no parent wants to see their child excluded or treated differently simply because they don’t act exactly like the others”, she shared. “It felt as though he was always in trouble.”
After discussing her concerns with her coworkers, they encouraged her to request a referral from Joseph’s primary care provider for an evaluation from the Esperanza Children’s Therapy team. “From the very first visit, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. During his initial evaluation, all of my concerns were acknowledged and validated”, she said. For the first time, someone explained to her that Joseph was experiencing sensory challenges—and more importantly, that there were ways to support him. “I was also reassured that the way his daycare had been addressing his behaviors was not appropriate, but that these were concerns that could be understood and worked through. As a mom, this brought me such relief and gave my family a renewed sense of hope.”
When we asked Lindy how the services provided by Esperanza Children’s Therapy have made an impact for Joseph, she said, “This program has truly transformed our lives.” They no longer receive daily calls from the daycare about Joseph’s behavior challenges. “Instead, when we pick him up, we’re usually greeted with good news. He is making friends, thriving in his environment, and no longer being isolated or struggling. The progress he has made is remarkable, and we are so proud to watch him continue to grow.”
Joseph’s journey has also allowed Lindy to experience the organization from a client and family’s perspective, further adding to her overall frame of reference. “As both an employee and a parent, I feel a deep sense of mission and vision in the work we do. I have personally seen the positive impact this company has on my family and our community, and that fuels my commitment as HR Manager”, she shared. She also now has a better understanding of the qualities that would be helpful for future Aprendamos employees to possess. “My goal is to seek out candidates who truly embody our values, because I know the difference it makes. For me, this work is more than a job—it’s a meaningful way of life.”
Thank you, Lindy, for sharing Joseph’s story with us and for your constant pursuit of excellence through your work with Aprendamos!
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