Easterseals’ Pusch: Connecting with Grandkids via Video
Maureen Pusch, chief executive officer of Easterseals of Mahoning, Trumbull & Columbiana Counties, is hanging tough. You can read more about Easterseals at its website.
What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your work life?
Easterseals is a service organization with a mission to serve our community. Our service delivery process and protocols have always been created through the filter of accessibility for all. In many ways, this pandemic opens the eyes of all businesses to do the same. Can I continue to operate in a way that is accessible and safe? When you face a crisis like COVID-19, personal and professional loyalties and priorities change.
One of my biggest challenges moving forward will be to find new fundraising avenues to engage donors. Our day-to-day business has changed drastically since March 17. Our Adult Day Care, Skill Development and Outpatient Therapy programs have all been paused, resulting in layoffs for approximately 60 percent of our staff. Several of our “grant-supported” programs for children and teens are also suspended. Our Community Center for the Deaf continues to provide interpreting services by way of “Zoom.” In-person interpreting services are available if precautionary safety protocols are in place.
Much of our support staff are working remotely. It’s an adjustment for all of us. We do weekly staff meetings by Zoom to stay connected to one another as a team. I believe this “visual” reminder of who we are today as a group is important for all of us to relate as coworkers. The meetings often include family pets walking into view, dogs barking, staff members participating from their laundry rooms because that is the only quiet place in the house … it’s our reality. It’s so important to acknowledge that and embrace it. We are asking people to continue to keep our business operating … and do it from their home … while your family is there. That’s a lot to ask of people and they have all been remarkable.
Our home delivered meal business to seniors in Mahoning and Columbiana counties has increased 23 percent in the past five weeks. Our dedicated support staff and delivery drivers are incredibly committed to serving the community. They know each of their clients and check on them as they deliver. You talk about individuals who “hang tough”…they are amazing.
AVI Foodsystems provides the meals we deliver and they have been an outstanding partner. We contacted AVI in early March as things were changing and they ramped up their production lines to meet our needs. Kudos to them as well. Our community is tough and helping one another is how we are built.
How about your personal life?
When I’m away from work, my family is my life. My daughter, son in-law and twin three-year-old grandkids live in California and we spend a lot of time together. They visit my husband and I for weeks at a time and we spend most holidays with them in California. You never really get accustomed to the distance, but we make it work. Not being able to get on a plane right now if they need me, or to celebrate a special occasion is rough, but we find other ways to stay connected. I video myself reading books to my grandkids and my daughter shows them the video at bedtime or when they are missing us. They know they are loved and safe. “FaceTime” and cross-country “Zoom” group game nights are hits with all of our extended family. After a three-hour Zoom game last Saturday night, my husband said, “Well, that did it for me, we visited with each family and never left the house.” It is good for the soul.
What steps are you taking to hang tough?
There’s no sense denying I worry more and sleep less right now, but I get up every day with goals. The goal list helps me stay centered and reaching some of the goals each day provides the much needed satisfaction. The COVID-19 virus really hasn’t changed the goals, just the path we need to create to achieve the goals. This year, Easterseals is celebrating its 101st anniversary. When I look back at 101 years of history for Easterseals I am truly inspired and genuinely in awe of the tremendous role we play in our community. The strength and determination of our clients, and the goals they reach as a result of their hard work and our dedicated staff, say it all.
Our main goal is to help all of our clients achieve their goals. Early on in this Pandemic we took measured steps to minimize risk for our clients and staff. We closed programs in advance of the Governors orders and we will use the same measured strategy as we consider opening programs back up. The world is forever changed by this Pandemic. The culture of our community is changed. Business as we knew it…changed. The key steps we are taking now are developing a new strategic plan, a new emergency preparedness plan, new policies and procedures and new service delivery options that are built within the parameters of this pandemic and what our community and clients should expect from us moving forward.
What advice are you sharing with the people you love?
I have always been a spiritual person. My faith and family ground me. My advice…find a balance. Watch the news to the extent you stay informed. Be aware but create a healthy atmosphere. Watch “feel good” movies, take up a new hobby that you can do from home. Remember all the times you said, “If I had time I would do…?” Do one of them! Our house is filled with family photographs and music is always playing. These are the things that keep me balanced. I encourage everyone to use your talents and your time to help one another. If we do that, we will all come through this better served.