Join our team and find your passion!
Build a career in a supportive culture of caring
“Employee Spotlight” with Dona Pierre, LPN, Condos
Dona Pierre, LPN
Growing up in Haiti, for as long as Dona Pierre could remember, she loved numbers and math. At the age of 8, Dona began to learn how things “added up” while she helped out her family at “La Valle” (The Valley) restaurant. She would count items, make change and she says, “I was good at it.”
Her father was in the brick business and her mother was a housekeeper. Dona came to the United States when she was 15 and her family joined with many relatives and moved to Spring Valley in Rockland County, NY.
Dona attended Ramapo High School and after school worked part time at McDonalds and Macys. After high school, Dona went to Nyack College with a BA in Education still thinking she was going to be a math teacher, however, she decided to become a nurse and completed her LPN Program at Eastwick College in New Jersey. Let’s find out a little bit more now about Dona and how she became part of the Jawonio family:
Tell us about any recent challenges you have been able to work through with those in your care?
As DSPs or LPNs or nurses, we take care of people with many needs. When I first started working as a nurse for Jawonio, I learned that one of the individuals didn’t like to eat or go to doctors. I started making breakfast for him, and sat with him, listened to him and began to understand his concerns. After a little while,I helped him find the best doctor that he likes – and I am happy to say he is eating going to his regular appointments.
Now he calls me mom and is always waiting for me to come check on him.
This month is Haitian American Heritage Month, and you shared that as a DSP one of the ways to communicate culture is through food, tell us about that?
One of the individuals asked me why foods that I make tasted different, or that I cooked differently than what he was used to. I explained that sometimes I use spices or different ingredients from where I grew up. And then we talk about it. Food brings people together and you can learn about different cultures and backgrounds this way.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I like to read and spend time with my family. I have an 8 year old daughter who attends Margettts Elementary School in Spring Valley. I spend time teaching her French Creole and sharing the importance of her heritage as well.
Finally, Jawonio has been known as a culture of caring, what makes the organization so special?
The culture here helps me connect with people from different backgrounds, respect others and give care with love and compassion. Working at Jawonio helped me to realize how much I love helping others.
Thank you Dona Pierre for sharing your story with us. If after reading this blog you are inspired and interested in a career at Jawonio, we currently have openings for RNs and LPNs. You can apply here: www.indeed.com/cmp/Jawonio-2/jobs or call 845.708.2000.
