Who We Are
As you are deciding on a company to provide care for your senior family member, one of the most important factors to consider is who is managing their care. We are particularly proud of our exceptional team and their continual dedication and commitment. Listed as one of the Top Places To Work in 2010 by the Star Tribune says it all.
Meet our extraordinary management team!
Julie Ellingson, Licensed Social Worker
“I think it’s marvelous that I can actually make a living by continuing to do something I have enjoyed my entire life,” says Julie about her love for her career. She was born with a desire to serve other people, and she uses her talents everyday to help clients and strengthen our Right at Home team.
Julie received her B.S. degree in Social Work from Southwest State University and has also received “English as a Second Language Training” from the Minnesota Literacy Council. Her education has enabled her to help people receive care while remaining in the comfort of their own homes. “Satisfaction in my work comes from getting out to meet people in their own environment because they are more themselves in their own space versus an institutional setting,” says Julie. “I consider it a privilege to be able to learn from them, about them, and about their needs in the intimate home setting. When clients want to stay in their own homes or apartments, it is very rewarding to put services and resources in place to make that happen.”
Julie has enjoyed being part of our Right at Home team since 2002 because of the fun, positive and supportive working environment, high standards and a team that works well together. She likes working for a home care agency that serves people from all walks of life and all income levels.
When Julie is not working with clients, she is still very busy! “I am an adventurous person, a traveler, and have many hobbies and interests that revolve around creating things,” says Julie. Her hobbies include cooking, embroidery, cards, soap-making, as well as physical activities such as kayaking, dragon boat paddling, bicycling and water aerobics. She also loves to read, go to movies, and enjoy the arts.
Leanne Esch, Licensed Social Worker
Leanne has been a part of our Right at Home team since 2004 when she started as a Caregiver. Having previously worked as a caseworker for refugees and as a personal care attendant, Leanne has been caring for others for nearly her entire life. She first found her love for serving others when she was just a young child.
“When I was in girl scouts, we earned a badge by volunteering at a nursing home,” says Leanne. “My scout leader actually called my mom to tell her how gifted I was with the residents. She described how many of the girls seemed scared and uncertain, but I seemed totally comfortable with the residents. Working for Right at Home is just a natural fit for me. I love seniors.”
Leanne’s favorite part of her job is getting to know clients during the initial assessment because she knows it is a crucial to the process of matching clients with caregivers.
“I learn so much from hearing senior’s life experiences,” says Leanne. “It is a rich thing to be able to sit down one and one with people who have years under their belt and ask them what they know about life. It is an honor and something I take very seriously.”
Leanne received her degree in Social Work for the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and also holds a Musical Evangelism Certificate from North Central University. She is an active member of her church where she enjoys singing in the choir and participating in the Christmas show. A self-proclaimed “nature lover,” Leanne loves to spend time outdoors, travel, write, and is passionate about her faith. We are very proud to call Leanne one of our own!
Jim Miles, Staffing Coordinator
As a former English teacher for nine years, Jim has a passion for helping others – as well as a love for a good book. He came to Right at Home wanting to help clients and caregivers while being able to fully utilize his strengths, and he is an excellent asset to our team.
Jim loves going to work everyday because of the team members, caregivers and clients with whom he is able to interact. “Everyone’s heart is in the right place,” says Jim. “People here are genuinely trying to do the right thing. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
Jim is happy to know his work is truly making a positive difference in the lives of others. “I really love going to caregiver social events because you look around and become overwhelmed with the inspiring stories of caregivers and their clients,” he says. “I regularly hear great stories from clients about their caregivers, and at the events, I see all these caregivers a nd remember the lives they’ve impacted. Because I am involved in the process of finding and placing caregivers, it’s great to play a part in that.”
While Jim loves to read, he is also a gifted writer. “I enjoy writing in a variety of formats – essays, plays, long fiction, and others,” Jim shares. “I always have a book I’m reading or a work of my own I’m creating.”
Jim received his B.S. in English Education from Northwestern College. He comes from a small, close-knit family, and is better known as “Jungle Jim” to his wonderful nieces and nephew.
Carol Hauser, Community Relations Director
When she was just a child, Carol’s parents would frequently find her not with the other kids, but with the elderly neighbor having tea and cookies, or across town visiting her grandparents. “The unconditional love and wisdom I received as a child and continue to receive today is the reason I chose this profession,” says Carol. “It is my goal to help senior’s live healthy, happy lives in the environment of their choice for as long as possible.”
Carol is a true blessing to our Right at Home team, our clients and our caregivers. When asked what she likes about her job, Carol’s immediate response is, “The people!” She feels very fortunate to work for and with such outstanding individuals. “The level of cohesiveness and respect for one another among our staff is like unlike any company I have worked for,” says Carol.
Carol loves the variety of her job. She feels she has the best of both worlds in terms of connecting with not only professionals but also with clients and caregivers.
“I am very proud to work for an organization with such high integrity that lives by its mission of improving the lives of those we serve,” says Carol. “Servant leadership is a defining feature of Right at Home’s culture, and it is embraced with mutual respect and gratitude for all of our clients and caregivers. Hiring exceptional caregivers, birthday calls and cards, clients and caregivers, the annual picnic and holiday party,
and annual jam delivery to our clients are just a few things on the list of many special touches Right at Home Twin Cities and South Suburbs provides throughout the year.”
Carol graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and also earned a Master of Gerontology from Bethel University. She and her husband of 20 years have a beautiful four-year-old daughter. They love spending time as a family and enjoy travel, skiing, music and the theater.
Owen Platt, Executive Assistant
Although Owen did not originally know what career he wanted to pursue, he has truly found his place as a very valuable member of the Right at Home Twin Cities and South Suburbs team. Along with providing staff assistance, Owen handles event planning, billing details, IT issues, maintenance…and the list goes on! Though he is often “behind the scenes,” we are always able to count on Owen to keep the office running as a well-oiled machine.
“The skills I gain here every day are invaluable,” says Owen. “It’s great to know that the day-to-day things I do help everyone do their job more effectively.”
Owen definitely helps us maintain high-quality work and service for our clients. Since he handles a lot of the background operations of our office, he has the chance to work very closely with our internal staff members.
“I have worked for other companies where it was difficult to get to know the other co-workers,” says Owen. “Here, it feels like an extended family. I love the nature of our office setting, and the connections I’ve mad
e here are truly one-of-a-kind.”
Owen is a motivated individual who lives life to the fullest. When he’s not in the office, he loves enjoying the outdoors and sports activities. He plays volleyball in the fall and winter, and softball in the summer. He also likes to bike, rollerblade, hike, rock climb, kayak/canoe, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
We are thankful to have Owen as an essential part of our team!
Lisa Meiners, Quality Assurance
After working in a stressful industry that seemed to be unfulfilling, Lisa knew she wanted a major change. She felt that she would like working with seniors because she has always enjoyed being around them, and she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. She came to our team in 2003 and quickly fell in love with the clients and the Right at Home team, and she has been a blessing to us ever since!
“I love helping other people, and I love hearing the stories about the lives of our clients,” says Lisa. “Each one is unique and fascinating, and I love learning from the life experiences they share.”
Lisa appreciates the time that she is able to spend improving the lives of clients, and she appreciates the Right at Home staff as well. “I feel like I make a difference and work with people who want to do the same,” shares Lisa. “I really appreciate, respect and care for my coworkers who are some of the most generous, kind people I have ever met. I love that owners Bob and Paul hold their work to such a high standard that our company is respected by those who have worked with us and for us.”
Lisa’s childhood strengthened her love for helping others. “I am the oldest of nine children, so I think I was meant to be a caregiver,” shares Lisa. In her spare time, Lisa loves to learn new things to keep life interesting!
Andrea Crumly, Quality Assurance
As a former client, Andrea already had positive experiences with Right at Home – Twin Cities and South Suburbs before she started working with us. She joined the staff in 2006 and brings her caring experience to the team.
Having previously worked as a nurse for over 40 years, Andrea’s life centers around helping others. She has worked with an ambulance crew, as a hospice nurse, and in many other areas of nursing, which has made her the person she is today. “I want to do the best I can with what I have to offer to others,” she says.
Andrea loves going to the Right at Home group events so that she can get to know clients better and spend more time with fellow staff members. “My favorite part of being on the Right at Home team is feeling that I’m making a difference while working with such a great staff,” says Andrea. “It’s a very close company, and they are like my family! They all make Right at Home a fun place to work.”
When she’s not in our office, Andrea teaches nursing assistants and personal care assistants. Having previously owned a restaurant in Nebraska, she is now writing her second cookbook. Andrea loves the multi-cultural side of the Twin Cities and likes to experiment with new foods. An avid reader, Andrea reads several books every week of all different styles and genres. What’s her favorite book of all time? “Sacagawea. You almost feel as though you are with her on her journey,” says Andrea. In addition to teaching, reading and writing, she is also designing clothing for people who use wheelchairs. All of these passions and hobbies make Andrea a great part of our team!
Other agencies cannot compare to Right at Home's service. When I use Right at Home to place a caregiver into someone's home, I know they not only come to do their job, they also build relationships. Their intake process is in-depth in order to help place staff that will fit the patients' needs. I think this is the cornerstone of so many happy patients. They have a genuine interest and passion for the elderly.
Kim M., RN, Clinical Case Manager