Our House e-newsletter March & April 2013 | Page 18

by Joy Ritchey, Case Manager
Renee, an exemplary resident of Our House and the most senior resident of our women’s dorm, answered a few questions about herself
and her experience at Our House.
Renee was born in Marianna and grew up all over Arkansas. She has
two sisters and two brothers. Renee says, “This was before computers,
so we spent a lot of time outside. We had a lot of fun playing outside.
I was a member of the gymnastics team (believe it or not!) and the
track team. I enjoyed Home Economics class.”
Renee’s first job was with a school portrait company. “I applied
because I thought it might be fun. I loved it and learned all about
digital photography. Eight years later I started my own photography
business, Affordable Choice Photography. Renee has different plans
for future jobs. “I have always loved writing, and I’m working on
several projects currently. I want to be an inspiration to other people,
but I haven’t figured out how.”
Now Renee has a full-time job at Environmental Services at Baptist
Hospital. “I love my work,” Renee says. “I have been at Baptist since
October 2012. It was the 17th job I applied for after four months of
unemployment. Before that I was the Assistant Executive Housekeeper at the Residents Inn Marriott, but I left that job in order to
care for my ailing mother.
She says her high point of her time at Our House has been “gaining
the respect of staff and residents, feeling like a valued member of the
community here.” She has seen some unhappy times here, too. “It
makes me sad when people miss the opportunities available to them
at Our House, when people leave before meeting their potential in
the program.”
Renee participates in a lot of Our House activities. “One wonderful
event was a dinner over the holidays when the servers and their children played classical music on their own instruments. It was soothing
and very special.”