Childcare Worker of the Year

30 Years of Caring

In 1976 at the age of 26 years old, Barbara Kennedy made a life changing choice. Her decision to work for Butterfield Youth Services
would not only change her life but the lives of the many children and staff she worked so closely with. For the past 30 years Barbara
has dedicated herself to caring for others unconditionally. "Barb" (as we fondly refer to her) - has served in the official capacity as
"Day Houseparent" but her role has always been much more....supervisor, direct care staff, therapist, asst. supervisor, crisis intervention
specialist, guidance counselor (for staff), advisor to administrators, trainer, maintenance consultant, pioneer of early program development
and therapist for the therapist...just to name a few. I could go on with the numerous times she has spent staying late or coming in early
to help children or facilitate activities, working past her regularly scheduled shift to assure her part was done, coming in on her "off time"
to help during a crisis, volunteering to cover a shift during a staff shortage and even staying overnight to help with children. Her is a
snapshot of some interesting vital statistics:

Training Hours - 1,740
Trips To The Grocery Store - 3,112
Meals Prepared - 13,920
Loads Of Laundry - 2,784
Direct Care Staff Trained - 174
Supervisors Mentored - 6
Meetings Attended - 1,560
Children Cared For - 316
Total Days Worked - 6,480
Complaints About Her Job - 0

Beyond statistics, the impact of Barbara on both children and staff she has worked with can not be determined by any particular
weight or measurement or outcome projection. Her life's work, caring for others, exceeds all known standards of what we define
today as unconditional caring. In an attempt to explain or describe such an impact would be impossible - but listening to the words
and thoughts of former and current children as well as past and pesent staff it becomes vividly clear:

STAFF 2001 - Barb was the reason I stayed at Butterfield and changed my career. She always found a way to make the impossible seem
easy to accomplish.

Staff 1989 - I remember, during difficult times, Barb was always the calm voice of reason that reflected empathy and genuine concern.
I have known and worked directly with her for 17 years - She still has the same caring smile.

Child 1990 - Barb was my second mother. I will never forget how much she cared for me and the other kids. Now that I have children
of my own, I often find myself repeating things she would often say to me.

Child 2005 - Miss Barb helps us do everything at the ranch.

Staff 1984 - When I met Barb, I was a college student starting my internship at Butterfield. she quickly became a significant other in my
life - training and encouraging me to work with troubled children. I have now been employed at Butterfield for 20 years.

Child 2005 - Miss Barb is a good cook person.

Child 2006 - I like it when she helps me clean my room.

The first 2 years I worked directly with Barb, I was amazed at the number of children that would later in life return to our agency to visit.
Some of these children Barb worked with was almost 10 years prior to my employment at BYS in 1989. a familiar scene of a former child
entering the facility "Do you remember me". Of course I do, Barb would reply smiling, recalling the child's name just as it was yesterday
she had spoke to him. A long embrace "Oh my God I can't believe it's you". Tears being wiped away, a brief tour reminiscent of the
child's stay at Butterfield "This was my old room" - "Do you remember the time I..." Of course, Barb would reply and finish the story. A
sit down for a cup of coffee and a snack would then take place, digging through Old pictures and lot's of laughter. At the close of the
visit, Barb always found words of wisdom to share and then sent the young man on his way with a departing hug.

One thing stands out in my mind after seeing this replay many times in my presence - nothing negative was said, it wall all about the
good times and how she was there caring for them - no matter what happened they knew they could count on Barb.

Barb continues to work at Butterfield Youth Services and children occasionally return to see her. The continuous quality of her
work is exemplified through the many lives she has helped shape through her unconditional caring. In 30 years of dedication to
her work, she has not been hindered due to personal crisis, changing times or anything else for that matter - as she often says
"I am here for the kids". Her courage and unwaivering faith has been a cornerstone of stability and she stands before us today
as an example of what caring relationships really mean. In 30 years of caring she still has the same smile.