At 19 years old, Jessica Fonferek started her first “serious job” as a direct support professional with Unified. Being a direct support professional was physically and emotionally challenging, but Jessica found it rewarding and “fell in love with the individuals” she was supporting. “I was comfortable around people with disabilities because I grew up around my aunt, who has disabilities and is on the autism spectrum,” Jessica says. “My aunt lived with my family, and I helped with her care as I got older.”
Within three months, Jessica was promoted to house manager for a community living group home in Hagerstown. Over the next 17 years, Jessica rose through the ranks, serving as assistant residential director in Hagerstown and residential director in Frederick. In 2022, she was promoted to her current position as director of operations in Cumberland. She manages 90 employees and oversees all the departments in Cumberland to include the center and day program, the nursing and personal support services, seven community living group homes and three residential apartments.
“Working at Unified from such a young age has shaped the person I am today,” says Jessica. “I have learned to appreciate what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t have. There is so much joy and laughter to be found in the everyday small things in life.” Jessica’s favorite part of her job is interacting with the individuals who receive supports from Unified. “If I am having a bad day, I step out of my office and visit with the participants in the meaningful day program. They remind me why I am here.”
Jessica continues, “It’s so exciting to be able to introduce someone to new things.” She shares a story about a camping trip: “The camp site let us use its golf carts to get around, and the individual I was supporting got such a kick out of driving them. The camp site also has a pool with waterslides, and while you’re only supposed to go down the slide one at a time, he needs support, so I was allowed to go with him. We spent all day on those slides.”
Every year, Unified helps the individuals it supports set goals. Jessica recalls how one of the individuals wanted to learn how to swim. “She is paralyzed,” states Jessica. “In my head, I was thinking, ‘How will this work?’ At Unified saying ‘no’ is not an option. Staff must think outside the box and figure out how to support an individual in moving toward their goal.” The staff brought the individual to a pool where she began learning basic water skills such as how to float. Eventually, she was enrolled in a swim class and became a great swimmer. “Never doubt someone just because they have a disability,” says Jessica. “People with disabilities are just like anyone else. They have the same interests and desires. They just do things differently.”
Jessica credits Unified’s leadership for helping to guide and mentor her professionally and for taking care of her “like family” along the way. She calls President and CEO Amy Kreitz and Chief Operating Officer Angela Hanft her role models. “No matter the situation, they listen,” says Jessica. When I need help, they are there for me, and there isn’t anything they expect me to do that they wouldn’t do or haven’t done.”
Jessica looks forward to her future. “Cumberland is the smallest of Unified’s regions,” she says. “Over the next five years, my goal is to grow it by increasing participation in its meaningful day services and opening more community living group homes and apartments.” She aspires to one day serve as a regional director for Unified and is working hard to reach that goal.
“It is a privilege and an honor to work for Unified,” Jessica says. “I have gained so much – a fulfilling career that has encouraged me to grow as an employee and as a person and the opportunity to make a positive impact in peoples’ lives.
