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Senior Community Service Employment Program <br /> <br />Senior Loves New Job! <br /> <br /> "I LOVE MY JOB!" says former STEP Clerical <br />Aid Norma Panela (r. above) who is a full-time <br />Senior Peer Specialist at the Moms & Babies and <br />Fathers & Children Therapeutic Living Program <br />in Puueo. Under the Big Island Substance Abuse <br />Council (BISAC), this federally funded Title IV/B <br />program assists individuals whose children have been <br />taken away or who are close to losing their children <br />because of drug abuse. <br /> Norma's supervisor, Case Manager Laura <br />Ferreira (1. above) says, "Anyone who takes this job <br />has to be totally dedicated" because Norma's job re- <br />quires her to actually live at a halfway house (top r. <br />2nd col.) for 56 hours/week from Friday's through <br />Monday mornings. She oversees all Therapeutic <br />Living Program activities and ensures the safety of <br />all residents, i.e. 6 adults and 12 children under 12 <br />years of age. Role modeling as a good, nurturing <br />mother, Norma: provides support to young mothers; <br />teaches them budgeting, time management and life <br />skills; and plans activities like community outings. <br /> <br /> Having Faith Helps: "I've always had tre- <br />mendous faith. God's given me the graces to work <br />with people who need help, and He brought us to- <br />gether," she also adds with gratitude to Lurlyne <br />"Kaui" Paleka-Kama, who recommended Norma <br />to Laura. She is guiding Norma in expressing her <br />full potential and in transforming broken families into <br />healthy happy drug-free families. <br /> <br />"If I could clone her (Norma) so that all of <br />the staff could be like her, I would!"—Laura <br /> <br /> Deeply compassionate and loving, Norma genu <br />inely cares about the clients and listens with great <br />empathy to their needs and troubles. The clients re- <br />spect and love her as their Kupuna. <br /> <br /> Norma's message to STEP participants is: <br />"FOCUS on what you want to do at this point in <br />your life, and talk about it to someone who may be <br />able to help you find something you can fit into. <br /> <br />"Don't be afraid to step outside of <br />your comfort zone." —Norma <br /> <br /> "The resources are out there. If you start look- <br />ing for what you want, it is entirely possible to get <br />the job you want. There are many jobs out there <br />that seniors can do." <br /> This May, Norma will make 1 year on the job. <br />For more, call 933 -9527. For STEP, call 961 -8750. <br />Kupuna News 15 April - June 2008 <br />