Caregiver of the Month

Nettavia selflessly cares for her aging mom around the clock, while being a pivotal leader in the Lansing community. Nettavia, rarely, if ever has time for self-care because she’s so busy caring for everyone around her. She’s loving, nurturing, compassionate, and giving. While caring for her mother is her number one priority, she still makes time to be present and if assistance to others as well. Nettavia is the epitome of what a caregiver is.

Jennetta is one of the hardest working, badass, go-getter nurses at Sparrow in the mother-baby unit. She is incredibly driven to provide quality care to her patients and knows how to help new moms navigate their new world. Awesome nurse!” Your commitment to providing high-quality care and support to your patients is truly inspiring, and we are proud to have you as a part of our community.

Dr. Eunice Foster is a full-time professor at MSU.  She helps with her three grandchildren while her son is ill. She also helps out with her great-granddaughter.  She has transported her grandchildren to school and takes them to many activities. In addition, she coordinates a special program for Lansing school district high school students with international connections. Dr. Foster is a founding member of a national organization for minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences (manrrs.org). She also does additional community work and always assists families and community students with educational need. She seldom has time for herself. Eunice is the epitome of what a caregiver is.

Makaylin, is a stay-at-home mom of three adorable little ones with an husband who works hard which keeps him away from home frequently. She deserves a complimentary massage more than anyone I know. Her days are a whirlwind of love, patience, and endless chores, from sunrise to sunset. She devotes herself not only to her husband and children, but also to her extended family and close friends. With the recent storms leaving them without power for several days, she kept her word to host a bachelorette party at her home while running on a generator! This is just one recent example of how she is always putting other’s needs before her own without hesitation. A massage would be a beautiful way to remind her how important her well-being is to us all and give her the relaxation and pampering she so richly deserves.

Congratulations Makaylin. Your commitement to your family and friends is outstanding!

Rachel is awesome! Rachel goes out of her way to go above and beyond to help everybody. From showing up to work early, to staying late until everyone is taken care of, Rachel does whatever she can to make sure her patients are taken care of. She listens to their issues and makes sure she does everything in her power to help and make sure her patients are seen and heard. She works hard daily and deserves to be treated!

Congratulations Rachel. Your commitement to others in need is outstanding!

Sarah works hard running the Gecko(Giving Eaton County Kids Opportunity’s ) program for Eaton county special needs students! She has successfully started a clothing bank for the kids to work at in Grand Ledge, MI Called Kens Coat Closet. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep this free store open and running. The kids she keeps track of and all they do to learn new jobs skill is just so crazy like 100’s of them! She is always thinking of others and making sure the least of these has an opportunity to shine in our community. She is so wonderful with them and helping to make sure they can get a job after they have left their schooling age. She is also a special needs counselor.

Congratulations Sarah. Your commitement to others in need is outstanding!

Marty is a social worker who had left her job with a large company in order to make a difference in individual lives. Her place of employment was limiting her as a professional. Marty has worked hard to develop her own company and has been successful for many years now. Her initial intent was part time work however when she had been referred to a patient by myself and she jumped in and worked full time for three years to care for this patient until his death. Her compassionate care still continues with this family working to assist the wife and other family members along with new clients. Marty is energetic, caring and deserving of pampering.

Congratulations Marty. Your commitement to others in need is outstanding!

Bonnie is a person who cares about everyone and gives her time and energy to all that need a hand up. She take the time to listen and does what she can to help. She always goes above and beyond for people in her care. She never asks for anything in return. She always puts herself last. 

Congratulations Bonnie. Your commitement to others in need is outstanding!

Amy takes care of her parents , one has dementia.  She has gone to so many doctors appts it is amazing. She and I cannot go anywhere because we need to be close for these 2 who are in their 90s.

Congratulations Amy. Your commitement to your family is outstanding!

Taunya’s unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care through her day care and evening care services is truly remarkable. What sets Taunya apart is her remarkable commitment to assisting families in need, going above and beyond by offering support to those who cannot afford day care services. Her selflessness and compassion have made a profound impact on the lives of both children and parents in our community. Taunya’s nurturing spirit, tireless efforts, and generosity make her the epitome of an exceptional caregiver, and awarding her with a spa service would be a small token of appreciation for the enormous difference she makes in the lives of those she cares for.

Congratulations Taunya. Your commitment to others in your community is outstanding!

Elizabeth is a fantastic public servant who spends much of her time as the primary caregiver for her father-in-law Lonnie C. Lonnie is a disabled veteran who ultimately needed to move in for daily care and Elizabeth jumped right in to assist. For the past five years Elizabeth has been primarily responsible scheduling and attending Lonnie’s appointments, managing medication, providing food, and helping him connect within his community to maintain his spirits as he goes through everything. While doing all of this Elizabeth has continued to be an incredible wife, mother, and manager. I have so many great things to say about Elizabeth and who she is. She is selfless, caring, compassionate, and wants to see the best in people around her. She often puts herself last and this would be a great opportunity for her to receive something special for all she does.

Congratulations Elizabeth. Your commitment to others in your community is outstanding!

Kurt has been an phenomenal caregiver to his grandparents in the last few years. His mother passed away 12 years ago and he assume her role as one of the primary caretakers for his grandparents. Over the last few years he has worked with his aunt to make sure they got the best care for his grandma, who battled with Alzheimer’s disease, and his aging grandpa. As they neared the end of life, he and his aunt took care to listen to their wishes and carry out the best care for them. They lost them both within 6 months of each other and they flawlessly honored them in their celebrations of life. Kurt did this all while in a leadership role at work and staying present with his 4 school aged ( and very busy) kids. He is a role model for what a care giver should be. He is so deserving of a little relaxation and rest!

Congratulations Kurt. Your commitment to others in your community is outstanding!

My boss Jennifer M. is a superstar. She is the Executive Director of the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals and is extremely passionate about helping the most fragile of state, those with substance use disorder challenges. We lovingly refer to her as “Boss Lady”. She takes amazing care of the staff as well, always making sure that we are happy with our work environment and balancing life and work responsibilities. I would love for her to be pampered and take some time for herself because she gives so much for others.

Jennifer is a light of a human. The minute you meet her, she makes you feel like you belong. Jen spent 30 years as a Substance Use Disorder counselor working with a population that many give up on. I’m lucky enough to work for her now at a nonprofit and she is an incredibly empathetic, brilliant person.

Congratulations Jennifer. Your commitment to others in your community is outstanding!

Sarah is an exceptional person, who gives care to the mental health of children in our local schools. She is kind, patient, and successful in helping others get through their day. She deserves to be chosen because at the end of the day, after shouldering the issues of others, she can be tense and wound up tight. A healing massage would help give her the relief that is difficult to come by elsewhere.

Congratulations Sarah. Your commitment to others in your community is outstanding!

She is a mom who has put her kids first.  One of them is special needs. She sacrifices so much for him because nobody is going to take care of the kid like the momma will.
She deserves a little special momma time.

Congratulations Danika. Your commitment to your family is outstanding!

In the past year Lauren has helped take care of her father who was diagnosed with cancer and an aunt who who was diagnosed with cancer. She lost her father to cancer in November 2024. She continues to support her aunt. Lauren is a mom to four children- two stepchildren, one biological child and a 5 year old. She gained custody of the 5 year old child two years ago (biological father is her cousin). Lauren completely stepped up to taking care of all these loved ones while continuing to maintain her job. She has no time for herself. I’m impressed by all she does and how she handles herself despite all the challenges thrown at her.

Congratulations Lauren. Your commitment to your family is outstanding!