After having first worked in group homes for five years, Lindsay Estes started at Rise in September 2018 as a float DSP and was promoted to case manager six months later.
During these tumultuous times of the pandemic, Lindsay’s co-workers and those served at Rise Coon Rapids have especially appreciated her creativity and innovation in developing virtual events for people at the Coon Rapids Program so they do not lose meaningful friendships and connections. “Her excitement has helped others embrace changes during the pandemic,” they noted.
“I love what I do at Rise because I enjoy being able to support the people that we serve with reaching their goals and helping to build on their strengths and realize their potential. I have found that I have passion for being able to offer people who have not yet returned to work life enrichment services remotely. If I can provide some positivity and enrichment in their days, it makes me proud of the work that I do.”
Lindsay also coordinated field trips that have allowed people to drive to a person who cannot come into Rise Coon Rapids due to COVID. People bring a fun decorative sign to show that we miss them. She has made meaning social connections for people by planning and hosting a virtual Spooktacular Halloween party with a costume contest, and more recently a Friendsgiving event.
“What I like most about my job is being able to see the people served both in center and through Zoom, I like connecting with people and finding out what they are interested in and being able to build on their interests.
With a special knack for honing in on people’s interests and skill levels, Lindsay develops person-directed plans. She focuses on gratitude when conducting remote services so that the people she supports have something positive to focus on in the unstable times the pandemic has brought. Lindsay is a daily example of what it means to grow and adapt to the needs of the people we support.
Lindsay and her boyfriend recently bought and moved into a house that they spent all summer fixing up. “It was a lot of work but it was worth it! I also enjoy creating abstract art as a hobby.”
