It is with fond memories and smiling hearts that we bid farewell and happy retirement to Michael LaBelle, Supported Housing Advocate, after 25 years of dedication and service at RISE.
Mike began working at RISE and in Supported Housing in October 1998. “I started working half time for Supported Housing because at the time the program was brand new and only warranted a half time position, but as the program grew, I became a full time Supported Housing Advocate and have been one ever since.”
Rik Jordan, Residential Director, shares, “Mike’s dedication to his clients, RISE, and the community speaks for itself. He has touched hundreds of lives in his time working here. Mike brings fun and compassion to work with him every day and will be missed by many. ”
“I had the privilege of supervising Mike for 14 of his 25 years with this agency,” Rik continues. “He is irreplaceable. on behalf of myself, and all the lives you have touched – thank you Mike!”
Mike believes it has been a privilege to work with the people in Supported Housing, providing the assistance that enables them to live safely, independently, successfully in the community. “I feel as if I get paid to come to work and really just live my life with others,” he explains. “I always approach the people I work with as equals. We are all in this together, after all.”
John Shoemaker, Supported Housing Program Director, shares, “When I think of Mike’s many attributes, the one that stands out the most to me is his dependability. This is because I have always known I could count on Mike to be there when needed for the residents he has worked with and for his coworkers. His consistency in this regard has had a stabilizing effect and been a positive force benefiting all those Mike has worked with over the years.”
“We assist as needed,” Mike says. “Sometimes that is just being an ear allowing someone to talk their way through an issue to find their own solutions. Sometimes it is interjecting humor, which helps break the tension and allows the person amid a struggle to take a step back and see things from a different vantage point. Other times it is just being an emotional cheerleader, providing encouragement and affirming the choices they make when they are good and solid ones. Sometimes, of course, it can mean being firm and setting good boundaries.”
Regardless of the situation, Mike believes that humor is his greatest tool when helping others. “I am a very sociable and gregarious person by nature,” he shares. “One of the things that I’ve used the most over the years is my sense of humor. I come from a long line of comedians – in fact my father was voted class clown in high school!”
“I like to use humor to create a good feeling and to help people relax. And let’s face facts: laughter is something that is often in short supply with the people we serve,” Mike explains. “It also helps forge a connection. We laugh together. I learned long ago in a seminar by Dr. Bert Pepper (look him up!) that the most important thing in establishing a therapeutic relationship with someone is creating a “sympathetic bond.” Not sympathy as is commonly understood, but in its deepest sense, which means developing a real connection with people in a deep way. We all have our own way of forging these connections.”
Mike’s co-workers appreciate Mike and are going to miss him being on their team. Amy Perkins, Supported Housing Advocate says, “the 20 years that I’ve worked with Mike have been a pleasure. He can always be counted on. He has shown great care when working with his clients – meeting their individual needs. He has always put smiles on everyone’s face with his humor. He makes each workday fun.”
Lehra Inglis, Supported Housing Advocate says, “I’ve absolutely enjoyed working with Mike for the past 13 years. His consistent positive attitude has been an inspiration to us all. Mike has always been a supportive co-worker and has gone above and beyond for his clients as well. I will miss his wit and presence around the office.”
In retirement, Mike and his wife, Lori, plan to travel. “We’ve already booked a trip to Ireland for May. We also want to visit various national parks in the western United States and maybe even go to Japan as I have a long-standing interest in Japan and Japanese culture. We would like to visit the British Isles. My ancestry on my mother’s side is from Scotland. In fact, her maiden name is Hutchison which is part of the McDonald Clan or Clan Donald. I also look back fondly on living in England for two years shortly after high school. Visiting the old haunts again would be good fun. Volunteering is also going to be a big part of my retirement – and I could see RISE being part of that equation”.
We at RISE will surely miss Mike with his wit, good humor, and dedication to our work. We wish him well in his retirement and hope to see him around town and, as he said, maybe back volunteering with us some day.
Good luck and enjoy your retirement, Mike!