Carolyn Paschal, our Assistant Director of Administration, has brought so much to the Vanderheyden community in the 25-plus years she has been here.
Paschal said there are many reasons why she will soon be celebrating her 26th year here.
"I enjoy working with the youth we service, and the staff members," she said. "I've had great supervisors who have guided me to where I am today."
"I also like encouraging positive outcomes with both youth and staff," Paschal said.
The Alabama native moved to Albany with her family when she was five years old, and now calls Rensselaer County her home.
Before Vanderheyden, Paschal worked as a Nursing Assistant for various nursing home in the Albany area, after receiving her degree at the Albany Occupational Center for Practical Nurses.
In 1992, she applied for a Direct Care Worker position at our Wynantskill campus, after her brother, a former House Manager, suggested the idea.
From there, Paschal moved into other positions such as a Team Leader, in Community Services as a coordinator for group homes and independent living, in the former respite program, and as a scheduling technician.
As part of her duties as Assistant Director of Administration, Paschal oversees a few of the residential cottages on campus, along with the overnight shift. She keeps tabs on things such as fire drills, environmental checklists, and makes sure safety procedures are in place.
Behavior management and the development and creation of a behavior management system are also part of her duties that have left a lasting effect on our individuals.
"We've had some great success with youth that have left here," Paschal said. "I see kids that became successful. They've talked about their successes, their families, their beautiful children, and it brings tears to my eyes to see that they achieved so much."
Paschal also has seen success with former individuals who are still on our campus.
"What I really enjoy is watching when residents who were placed here become very successful in their position within Vanderheyden," she said.
In her years here, Paschal has seen positive changes, including in the living facilities.
"I've seen the cottages go from small, little buildings, to where the kids have some single rooms," she said.
"I love Vanderheyden so much, I've had my family work here, too," Paschal said. "My mother, my son and my brother."
Her son Denzel is a Safety Team member at Vanderheyden's Richard A. Desrochers Educational Center. Katrina Knox, a young lady that Paschal likes to call her adopted daughter, is also a House Manager on campus.
In her spare time, Paschal likes to spend time with her mother and other family members who live in the Capital Region, and playing with her nine-month old grandson.
She also likes to crochet, and watch nostalgia television shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke.
Thank you, Carolyn, for being an instrumental part in the success stories at Vanderheyden!
