The Hannan SCoop

Nicole works as the Service Coordinator at the Village of Our Savior’s Manor, a PVM facility located in Westland, Michigan. She began this work in August of 2014. Nicole’s favorite part of Service Coordination is having the opportunity to meet new people. She also loves all of the training she receives!

Nicole is one class away from her bachelor’s degree in Gerontology from Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. She received her Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Washtenaw Community College. In addition, Nicole is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Previously, Nicole worked in a caregiving role as a Nursing Assistant for 10 years.

Outside of work, Nicole stays busy with her three children, ages 14, 10, and 6. When she gets a spare moment, she enjoys reading.

At the age of 18, Nicole cared for her grandmother with end stage liver failure. This experience gave her a passion for caregiving and older adults—a passion that brought her to her career as a Service Coordinator. As a fairly new Service Coordinator, Nicole has set a professional goal to meet all of her residents within 6 months. She also hopes to ensure that all of her residents have the supports and services that they need. Additionally, Nicole works hard to promote Dementia awareness and education.

Blessed in Aging

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are those who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow

Blessed are those who look away

When I spilled tea that weary day.

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile

Stopped to chat for a little while

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday.

Blessed are those who never say

“You’ve told that story twice today”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I am loved, respected and not alone.

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

~ Esther Mary Walker

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”  – Ambrose Redmoon

Lisa Harteau works as one of the Service Coordinators at Barton Towers, a CSI Co-Op in Royal Oak, Michigan. She began her work in this position in April of 2014. Her favorite part about service coordination is successfully connecting residents to the supports and services they need.

Social work is not Lisa’s first career, but has been serving others for several years. She was a family caregiver on and off for 20 years, served as a medical proxy for a number of individuals, and spent 15 years as a photographer. While studying in an accelerated nursing program, Lisa decided that she wanted to serve others in a different way, so she decided to pursue her degree in social work at Wayne State University. She went on to receive her MSW from Wayne State in April of 2014. Currently, Lisa is working on completing a Geriatric Certificate.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to Bell Isle, taking her dogs for walks, gardening, reading and being around horses. While it is no longer her primary career, she still loves photography and enjoys the fine arts—especially music.

Rebecca works as the Service Coordinator at The Village of Sage Grove in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She began this position in October of 2013. Her favorite part of being a Service Coordinator is making sure that the residents get access to the benefits and services they deserve.  This means advocating for and with clients.  Many residents become scared or anxious when dealing with governmental agencies, so they are unsure how to deal with DHS, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.  Helping them to navigate the system successfully ROCKS!

Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology at Barat College and continued on to pursue her MSW at Grand Valley State University. She enjoys combining her degrees by using art as a form of expression with her clients and residents. She finds that art can be very helpful in dealing with multiple situations that arise in her work. Rebecca’s own life experiences led her to use art as a way to cope with stress. These experiences eventually directed her into the field of Social Work.

Rebecca’s experience is vast. She has worked with populations across the life-span in her years of working in the field. She began working with older adults in a long-term care facility coordinating activities and social services in 2003.

Her personal interests include art, reading, and writing. In addition, Rebecca is an active member of her local LGBT organization and serves as the committee chair for the organization’s World AIDS Day Observance on December 1 every year.  While it was difficult to choose, Rebecca decided that 1984, by George Orwell is her favorite book. Her favorite movie is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Rebecca encourages everyone to embrace who they are and shared a favorite motto:  “Being weird is wonderful.”