Chevella German is all about helping others and helping familities. Here is her story in her own words:
My name is Chevella German, and I am from Hamer, SC. I retired early from Blue Cross Blue Shield with 30 years of service. While being employed with BC/BS, I was a part-time transportation specialist at Whittaker Head Start for 18 yrs. In 2018, I started working in the family service area as a family advocate. This is where my ambition began to flourish. I always had a heart to love and help others before employment with Pee Dee Community Action Partnership. However, working in the family service area really inspired me to do more than the bare minimum for my families.
As a family service professional, I play an important role in Head Start, Early Head Start and my community. My career gives me unique and powerful opportunities to build positive and goal-oriented relationships with families. These relationships can support the well-being of families. My belief is families experience well-being when all family members are safe and healthy. Opportunities for educational advancement and economic mobility also contribute to a family’s well-being. These kinds of basic needs include access to community resources and services this is where I go above and beyond for families in the community. In addition, this requires me to work beyond the normal business hours if a family is in need of resources or to do an application for a child, therefore it is my goal to serve families when it is convenient for them.
As a family service professional
-I know how to recognize family resilience, strengths and resources, unique gifts and talents, and what families already do to maintain family well-being and cope with challenges
-I understands that children’s healthy development is related to family well-being and family goals for themselves and their children
-I know the signs of depression, trauma, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence, child maltreatment, food insecurity, mental illness, and other challenges to family well-being
-I know about laws and regulations that support and protect families and their children
-I know about resources in the community to support families’ safety, health, mental health, financial stability, economic mobility, and educational growth; and ask others for referral information when needed.
-I understands how to identify dangerous situations and how to ensure one’s own safety when out in the community and working in families’ homes
I feel that we all can have a large impact on others in the community by making a beneficial difference in someone’s life through your actions, words, or behavior. It involves influencing others in a way that uplifts, supports, and encourages them, whether through kindness, empathy, guidance, or simply being reliable. Creating a positive impact helps improve relationships, fosters a sense of community, and can lead to lasting personal and professional growth for both the giver and the receiver. My motto “It’s about leaving people and situations better than you found them.
Through my dedication and commitment to families, I am a recipient of the “Parent Family Community Engagement Award and currently a family service manager. I have 2 sites in Dillon County (Whittaker and Hamer Canaan) and 5 sites in Florence. My support from my supervisor Eleanora Fleming and director Barbara Cooper has been steadfast. My personal attributes are dependability, Interpersonal skills and integrity. To God be the Glory for things he has done through me. Also my willingness and commitment to help others in this community has given me the opportunity to serve as the site coordinator for the Strengthening Families Program (SFP). This is another resource for families in Dillon County to enhance their well being. SFP is an evidenced based program designed to help families develop positive discipline practices, stay resilient in tough times, reduce conflict, improve parenting skills, and assist children with social skills, relationships, and school performance. I have served many families in the community with Walmart gift cards, toys and other incentives with the support of the program manager Anita Magwood. This program has changed many family lives in Dillon County.
Needless to say it is much work to be done. I challenge all in Dillon County as a community to get involved with making situations or someone better. Remember, to share and talk about good news because you are uplifting a person especially when the circumstance or situation is not so good. I feel that helping someone in a positive way is more rewarding than anything else that is why I go above and beyond for my family and community.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH DIFFERENCE MAKER: Chevella German–Promoting Family Well-Being In Dillon County
