Meet Vickie Harper | Service Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vickie Harper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vickie, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I am a Service Coordinator at Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties. We have four locations–three in Plano and one in Denton. We are what was once called “independent living” for senior citizens on fixed income. Here they can have decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Each campus has a Service Coordinator who coordinates services for our Seniors to aid them in aging in place.
You may ask how this business helps the community or the world. As a Service Coordinator, I aid the Property Manager in giving Seniors their independence, giving Senior’s families peace of mind in knowing their Senior is safe, and giving Seniors someone in their corner.
Giving Seniors their independence is so important as many times they have a change in their circumstances. We empower Seniors with a sense of independence even when they face the need for affordable housing. Many of our Seniors are highly active and love to be part of their community. There are various activity centers that pick them up to spend a day with their peers. We offer programs such as chair massage, guest speakers, fitness programs, and arts and crafts. We also offer transportation to assist with grocery shopping and doctor visits. We work hard to fight isolation for our Seniors, and we love to party with them!
Giving Senior’s families peace of mind in knowing their Senior is safe. While we are not a medical facility, we are an apartment complex which has someone on duty 24/7 which includes answering the phone. We have our 8 AM – 5 PM office staff, part-timers from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, and resident managers from 10 PM – 8 AM. Resident managers and part-timers cover our weekends. In speaking to a Senior regarding calling in the middle of the night for help, I explained they are not disturbing the resident manager because it is the job of the resident manager to help our Seniors with a clogged toilet, leaking sink, or calling 911 if the need arises. We are here for them. All of this alleviates the stress anyone might have.
Giving Seniors someone in their corner is where the Service Coordinators plays a vital role. We help them with understanding the rules and regulations of the apartment complex, forms that need to be filled out, and required paperwork, especially paperwork from the government. We help them determine if their mail is legitimate or just trash. For example, that postcard or letter looks like it is from Social Security, but that microscopic writing on the back of the postcard or at the bottom of the letter tells the true story. We assist them in completing their recertification packets every year. We help them find assistance with various programs, such as Meals on Wheels, Family Care Services, and assistance with utilities.
Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties give Seniors their independence, their families peace of mind, and give Seniors someone in their corner. We are all inclusive properties. Simply stated: ALL ARE WELCOME. Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties are a beautiful blend of cultures from all over the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Back in 2020, COVID closed the door on public education and opened a new door and career in aging services. I came to be a Service Coordinator by way of being an educator for thirty-five years. I retired from education in July of 2020, and God guided my path to apply for an open Service Coordinator position at Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties. I was already familiar with the properties and the needs of the residents because I was working as a part-timer already.
Love, care, willingness to cry and laugh with the Residents, being fearless and persistent in making my work for and beneficial to both Residents and Staff are what set me apart from others. I go to the Resident’s homes to work if they are unable to come to my office.

I am most proud of the work I do for the Residents. I created Treasure Trove, a quarterly opportunity for Residents to shop for basic housekeeping supplies by using gold coins. The coins are earned by attending various activities such as guest speakers and exercise programs. I suggested Paw Patrol to my boss who embraced the idea. This is where we bring our dogs to work for the Residents. The Residents love treating and loving on Cola, Ela, and Stasy. After recognizing the need for a stronger Service Coordinator team, I shared my ideas for a Service Coordinator retreat with the executive team. They thought it was a promising idea and encouraged me to see my dream come to fruition. As we Service Coordinators come together, the goal is to help each other as we help our Residents.

I love learning, and I have learned so much! My Residents bring me joy every day, so it is only fair that I come as prepared as I can to help them age in place at Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties-West Campus. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master in Education Administration. I use those two degrees in addition to my degrees in theatre arts, reading, and English to add some fun into the day. I did not know the line of work I was entering, but through American Association of Service Coordinators conferences, webinars, seminars, and fellow staff members, I learned and continue to learn how best to serve the Residents.

How I got to where I am professionally. Being open to change and willing to learn has influenced changing my mindset from an educator of middle school students to working with senior citizens has been fun. The first time I took the Residents on a “field trip,” I realized I did not have to herd them like I did students. My mind was a bit blown away. Learning to traverse Texas Health and Human Services and Social Security paperwork is not the fun part, but I have not given up, and I have learned how to navigate both services. As the old commercial says, “Live, and learn, and then get Luvs.” I have overcome the challenges one step at a time, one hurdle at a time. I cannot give up because the Residents are counting on me, and they are so happy when I can help them. The Residents embrace you and want you to succeed. While it has not always been easy as I transitioned from educator to service coordinator, the rewards have been plenty in the smiles on the faces of the Residents, the hugs they give, and the food they share.

I have learned that education never stops as I have also helped the Residents learn new exercises or help them with a tiny phone issue. I knew we had fun in education, but we really know how to have fun at Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties. From luaus to murder mysteries to hoedowns to transforming into the Queen of Hearts or a unicorn, no matter how tired I may be at the end of the day, I find the energy to celebrate life with the Residents.

God has guided my path my entire life. He led me to the great people I work with and work for. Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties are known as a safe home for our Residents. We are a family as we welcome everyone from all walks of life, from all countries, and all lifestyles.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would first go to Craftway Kitchen in West Plano for the best brunch ever! After brunch, we could stretch our legs by meandering through the shops in Downtown Plano or head to Frisco to IKEA. For lunch, we could eat at Kostas or Little Greek Fresh Grill. We could take in a play at the Courtyard Theatre, attend a performance by Plano Metropolitan Ballet, or go to Haggard Park to enjoy a concert in the park. I also will look for an excuse to stop at HTeaO and TC’s Shaved Ice!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It takes a village, and Plano Community Home Sponsored Properties is my village. I want to thank Bree Morgan, Katrina McPherson, and Julie Yu – My Service Coordinator Partners; Steredrick Goodjoint, Jr, Zipporah Dunham, Mai Fouad, Wesley Burchett, Melvin Harris, and Vernon Freeman – The West Campus Team; Michele Shevlin-HR Queen; Rhoda Byers, Roque Christensen, and Lee Ann Hubanks- Executive Team of Plano Community Homes Sponsored Properties, and the American Association of Service Coordinators for all of their support.

Website: https://www.planocommunityhome.org/

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