As many in Northwest Indiana, as well as other parts of the United States know, Opportunity Enterprises is in the business of Amazing People. This includes not only the participants, but the staff as well. One staff member, Christiee Thomas, is a special woman indeed and this week's Valpo Life in the Spotlight. From first-hand experience, I can vouch for her kindness and unique nature. Like a one-of-a-kind gem, Christie shines as only she can.
Born and raised in Crown Point, IN, Christie attended Crown Point Schools and from an early age she had a love for helping people. She participated in events for the physically handicapped at her high school.
"I got my humanitarian and volunteering ways from my dad," Christie said.
After she graduated from high school, Christie went on to cosmetology school. She became a hair dresser and for 27 years, she was fully immersed in the service industry. The last years of her time in that industry, Christie owned her own salon. Things changed, though, when she had to step away from her physically demanding job after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
Fortunately for us, this lucky lady beat the cancer and is still around, leaving smiles and laughter in her wake.
Wanting to work, Christie tried various jobs that didn't quite seem to fit...until she came to OE. Five years ago, Christie was hired as part-time Christmas help in the Simply Amazing Market. There, she popped enough popcorn to feed all of Valpo's sports teams and fell in love with the participants.
"I got to engage with the participants for the first time which was very rewarding," Christie said.
After helping in the market for a few years, Christie changed departments to Supported Living to help participants in their homes. After that she joined Enrichment and has been there for the last 1 1/2 years.
The Enrichment Program at OE consists of four branches: relaxation, art, community integration, and assertive technology. Christie is a Relaxation Coach.
"I have enjoyed being in this department. I am kind of a floater. I help where I am needed," Christie said. "The participants love enrichment. They want to help in the community and it's our goal to have the community accept them. The participants get such fulfillment from this and I get such fulfillment and joy from knowing that I am able to help them and I am learning from them. They may have physical and mental limitations but that doesn't stop them. The participants have such a capacity for love. They are so loving and forgiving. I also love being in the company of other employees who are as equally dedicated to bettering their lives as well."
Christie stated that it was a healing experience for her when she started working at OE. Her mother passed away two weeks before she began her job there and it was a hard thing to take. But after witnessing the positive attitudes of the clients despite some of the difficult things they had to face made her able to step outside of herself.
Throughout the year, Christi takes participants out to volunteer in the community. They go to a variety of places like Bethesda Resale, Exceptional Equestrian, the Porter County Animal Shelter, Liberty Bible Church, and the Dunes.
"I absolutely love my job. I learn from the participants and I love to be around them and help them. I want to help them achieve their best lives," Christie said.
She moved to Valpo in 1979. Declaring hat she loves the square downtown and the people that she has met, Christie holds Valpo close to her heart. In her free time, Christie loves to shop, garden, knit (Christie calls herself a bona fide knit-wit), and spend time with those she loves which includes her fiance Rob. Christi said that the number one thing to remember in order to have success and happiness in one's life is to remain positive.
"Always try and imagine the glass half-full. Try to maintain a positive attitude through all of your endeavors and make the best out of every situation that you are in," Christie said simply.