Nich Willard has been with Visions since 2007 and is an incredibly valuable part of the Visions team. Nich brings his wry sense of humor, laid back nature, and sober experience to the clients, making him remarkably relatable and effective in his job. Perhaps it’s because Nich got sober in his teens or the simple fact that he’s a cool cat: either way, the kids adore him. In case some of you don’t know, there was also the moustache period, where Nich had the craziest, coolest moustache; he even went so far as to create an alter ego for it on Facebook. Come to think of it, I think we were FB friends—the moustache and I. That right there is a fine example of wacy, sober fun. Like many of us at Visions, Nich also has a creative talent. He has a film background and is quite the talented filmmaker. You never know, we may have the next Wes Anderson in our midst!
Check out what Nich’s coworkers have to say. He is truly a well-loved member of our team!
“Nich is awesome! Nich is one of my favorite coworkers and hilarious. His seemingly laissez faire approach and sense of humor is so disarming that he is able to make an impact in the most difficult of scenarios.” Roger L’Hereault
“Which Nich? The one without the mustache has an amazing way of being real with the kids, and holding them accountable while showing them how to have fun. The Nich with the mustache is his evil twin…no?” – Katie Mason
“Nich! Thank you for always holding up the couches! Your ability to make us laugh has truly saved our minds over the years! From Tech to iPod guy to meeting timer to recovery mentor to van guy, you always do your job with Visions’ best interest at heart. You are an amazing mentor to the males at Visions, both staff and clients alike. I will miss you when you finally get into your dream job full time! The film world will be lucky to have your energy and commitment that we have been blessed to have over the past years!” – Chris and Amanda Shumow
Last but not least are Nich’s answers to our bevy of questions.
1: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an Astronaut or an actor when I grew up.
2: What is the one thing that never fails to make you laugh?
When dogs scare themselves by sneezing or barking to loud I LOSE it.
3: Favorite meal, the one you can’t live without?
My favorite meal that I cant live without is burgers haha like quimby.
4: What is the best advice you’ve ever received in recovery?
Somebody told me that I never had to be serious about anything except for my recover, and that I could do anything with my life as long as i did the work and could accept the consequences.
5: Your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was realizing that instead of burdening those around me I actually benefited the world around me, that was huge for me.
6: Do you REALLY hate ice cream?
Ice cream is stupid! It’s all a bunch of hype. Ice cream is literally like having a bunch of freezing cold milk ice and salt in your mouth except all mealy. uhg gross…I don’t like cake either most of the time.
7: What do you value most in your friends?
In friends, I value honesty and the ability to laugh at themselves.
8: What do you wish you could do better?
I wish I could remember more. I have a bad short-term memory; this is probably a result of drug use during the developmental stages. Also, I wish I waz a better speller.
9: Morning person or night owl?
I am most definitely a night owl Mornings are RUFF for this guy.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I work for Visions because helping adolescents find recovery is something that I believe in. I found recovery in an adolescent rehab and it started me on a path that not only gave me something to live for but also led to a great life. The “vision” of Visions is so close to my own that I am proud to be a part of it.
Susan O’Conner, aka The Art Lady, has been with Visions since the very beginning. She is literally part of the foundational framework of our residential and outpatient facilities. Susan is also the creator of Art as a Language—a means of using art to “tap the unconscious, release blocked emotions, face vulnerabilities, and acknowledge addictions.” Using art in this way allows our teens to viscerally and tangibly access the underbelly of their emotions in a way that is healing and liberating. Susan is all heart: she is creative and kind, of service, and full of healing energy. Susan is lovingly known as the Art Lady in many recovery environments, having worked in recovery for a decade. Her signature paint-splattered overalls are an indelible symbol of love and heart. We are beyond blessed to have Susan in our midst.The staff completely agrees:
“What an original and special gift Susan brings to Visions. You can see this whenever she arrives at our facilities, as the kids all yell out excitedly, “ART LADY!” She has such an amazing ability to bring out the unconscious creative faculties of the clients, allowing them expression of difficult and otherwise unreachable emotions. She clearly cares about our clients and helping them on their journey of healing. To see Susan in action is to see love itself at work. We are lucky to have her in our Visions family.” – Joseph Rogers
“Art lady: Charisma, charm and creativity sum her up!” – Heather Colligan
“You could never run out of things to say about Susan the “Art Lady.” Susan brings creativity to Wednesday nights and truly adds so much to our program. The clients love working with her and she spreads positivity whenever she is here. In addition to taking care of the kids’ creative voices, she is in tune with the staff’s need to also express ourselves; she often hosts workshops just for us! These past 10 years working with Susan have truly been a gift. Thanks, Susan!” – Chris and Amanda Shumow
There’s more! Read on for Susan’s answers to our questions. She never ceases to amaze, really:
1: What is your favorite artistic medium?
It changes quite regularly. Some favorites are collage – paper and
fabric, painting with acrylics, painting with gouache, clay people,
and printmaking, to name a few. Right now it is small clay people in
all sorts of different positions (mostly making social or political
statements) that I quietly put out on the streets, wall, stop signs…
and?
2: Were you always encouraged to follow your artistic path?
Some, but it never mattered. Even as a small child, I drew all my
feelings. I am good at science too – and I like it, so those that
wanted me to get a “real job” thought I should go in that direction.
Needless to say…
3: Where do you go for peace and quiet?
My garden… I sit by my herbs in my garden with any kind of art supply.
So easy to be calm and creative with lavender, rosemary, lemon balm
and basil filling the air. The birds like it when I am out there too.
4: You work with adolescents as well as adults, how are they different in terms of their application of artistic expression?
Adolescents are much more available and still have a bit of hope. My goal is to let them experience the language of color and shape and possibility. Besides, I really like teens. They may be angry but have not yet turned to adult bitterness. Adults require more sensitivity in getting out of their perceived safe heads that are cemented in denial. Most have been addicts for a long time.
They are both fragile groups of people and require a tender solution-oriented touch. Art never lies, so it cracks open even the toughest egg and that can be frightening. My hope is that this new way of expression will help them access the deep profound words that have eluded them for so long.
5: If you were stranded on an island, who or what would you want as company?
My stone-carver husband, our children and grandchildren, lots of art
supplies, a few musical instruments oh, and I guess a way to grow
food.
6: What would you do if you ever stopped painting and drawing?
I would die.
7: Where do you feel most at home?
My studio in the little retro trailer we call home – and always with
recovering addicts.
8: What makes you laugh out loud?
My funny husband and very funny grandkids… they are my life’s blood.
9: Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter?
I actually love all the colors, smells and feelings of all the different seasons. If I have to pick one, it is Fall. My babies were born in October and I travel back to those times every year. I also got clean and sober in October. A very special month.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I remain honored to have worked for Visions since the beginning. Their philosophy of treating the adolescents with dignity, in turn teaches the kids self respect and respect for others. They are Twelve Step Program oriented. I truly enjoy all these young people, and
their funny humor and crazy music. I am amazed at the openness and willingness they have to understand that Art is truly a Language. Additionally, I think the staff is a committed, supportive, kind group of people that work very hard at understanding the teen mind.
Katie Mason has been providing therapeutic care for our families since 2007, and she continues to be one of Visions’ Primary Therapists. When Katie joined our team five years ago, she did so with over 10 years of experience working with dual-diagnosis adults and adolescents, substance abuse cases, eating disorders, and suicide prevention. Her contribution to the Visions family and her approach to treatment has created an invaluable foundation for our families to rely upon—Katie is as part of the Visions framework and we are extremely fortunate and grateful to have her in our midst. We really do have a remarkable team.
Check out what some of our V-team has to say!
“Katie is a very intuitive therapist, and a great co-worker.” – Heather Colligan
“Katie Mason joined us several years ago and has been wowing us ever since. Her therapeutic skills have helped touch the lives of so many of our clients. Katie’s passion to become an even better clinician has led her to a Ph.D program, where she spends one weekend a month with her “student” hat on. This type of desire to learn and continue to grow is just one of the ways Katie models the behaviors we want to see in our clients. So many girls look to Katie as an example of a woman in recovery who gives everything her all. Katie is also a sounding board for so many of us, providing insight and support during the more difficult days. We love Katie!!” – Amanda and Chris Shumow
Katie was, of course, subjected to our usual 10-question fun. Her responses are particularly fantastic. I’m noticing a definite musical pattern emerging amongst our Visions team. Read on!
1: What inspires you to work with adolescents?
I’m guessing you’re looking for an answer other than, “because I still feel like one.” I feel honored to be a part of my client’s journey of developing their sense of self, increasing their self-worth at a time when typically there is so little, and helping them to see how really cool and talented they are.
2: What time of year do you like best?
SUMMER!!!! I guess that confirms that I’m still just a teenager at heart.
3: Do you play any instruments? If so, which and for how long?
I sing, so if you count my voice as an instrument, all my life. I come from a long line of performing family members, and music is one of my favorite therapies!! You can also add to that, the guitar for about a minute when I was a teenager, and, something that I would never admit to, except that there is photo evidence of me in my brownie uniform playing…………..the accordion (shhhhh, don’t tell anyone)
4: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Star. I wanted to act, dance and sing. I had some opportunities, but I’m a chicken, horrible stage fright. It all worked out great though, if it’s possible, I think I love what I actually do even more. Besides, this way I get to embarrass my daughter and my animals with my singing and dancing around the house.
5: If you could travel in time, where would you go?
The Renaissance era. I’m a true romantic at heart and love the chivalry and fashion of that time. For music though, any era from the 50’s forward.
6: What would you consider your greatest accomplishment thus far?
My daughter. I often minimize my impact on the amazing young woman she is becoming because she has always just been this incredible person. But the more I see myself in her, I have to acknowledge that I might’ve had something to do with it.
7: What is the best advice you’ve ever received about providing therapy to adolescents and families?
Diversify and maintain self-care. Someone once told me, that in order to remain passionate about working with adolescents, you need to make sure that half your practice is with a different population. Self-care is important with all populations, and something I’m still working on.
8: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl for sure. I don’t have a personality, or much of a brain for that matter, before 9 am.
9: What steps to you take for self-care?
Like I said, I’m still working on that. I have great support; family, friends, therapy, but making time for all those is another story. Regular exercise and spa days are fabulous in theory, I’m working on making them more of a reality.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
Wow, this answer could take pages. If I had to give you a short answer, I would say, because I don’t feel like I’m working FOR Visions. I feel like I am a part of Visions, a part of something that values individuality, integrity, creativity, passion, and most importantly laughter………..a true love of life.
Patrick Schettler is one of the most profoundly helpful people I know. He has his finger on the pulse of Visions and is able to jump in and be of service whenever and wherever necessary. Patrick’s adventures at Visions started out with him working as a program aide in 2006. He later moved on to hold various positions of leadership over the years: He’s been our Lead Program Aide, held the position of Educator, and he currently holds the position of Operations Coordinator. In truth, Patrick epitomizes service in the most genuine way. He doesn’t do it because he has to; he does it because he wants to. To boot, Patrick is so much more than an administrative genius. As it turns out, he apparently plays a mean guitar. Hm. Maybe there’s a Visions band in our future!? Now that could be interesting!
Of course, the staff has some truly amazing things to say, so read on:
“P-trick, as I affectionately refer to him, is an all-around ninja. He has been tech, teacher, tech supervisor, para-clinical, administrative fire-putter-outer, late-hour working, and foundation at Visions. He keeps his cool, while others might flip out in stressful situations. Aside from all of this professional praise, I can also vouch for the fact that he is a bad-ass guitar player.” – Daniel Dewey
“He’s the best ‘mini-me’ John Lieberman could ever hope for!” – Katie Mason
“Patrick is the calm in the storm. He is committed to our Visions Team. Patrick helps make the unmanageable manageable. We work back to back I can’t think of another person who could put up with me…with no way out.” – John Lieberman
“Schettler knows there’s no ‘I’ in team. He’s always willing to step outside of his job description to create a first-class environment at Visions. I depend on him for a lot due to not working on campus. Patrick’s drive for success and his compassion to help makes everyone’s job at Visions easier on a daily basis. He also has the ability to pull off purple sunglasses…not a judgment…just noticing.” — Christina Howard
“‘Apartrick’! Thank you for picking up every random call and question from every tech, doctor, insurance agency, parent….and us. You have stepped up time and time again and have proven yourself to truly be a managing member of this team. We can trust you to take care of every crisis–big and small–and know you will handle it with grace–minus the dreaded insurance guy who denies coverage, and whom you yell at with our blessing. 🙂 You have been an amazing sounding board for all of us. Part of our office joy radiates from your end of the building and during the stressful times, we can always count on you to laugh or make some kind of joke to make us smile. Thank you for showing up at all hours of the day or night, you have eased some of John’s stress (ours too!) and for that we thank you!!! — Chris and Amanda Shumow
Without further adieu, let’s hear what Patrick had to say when we asked him our usual wild and wacky questions:
1: What is your guilty pleasure:
I’m a sucker for reality TV shows on the food channel. I will drop everything to watch the newest episode of Chopped.
2: Do you prefer acoustic or electric guitars?
Both. Gotta have an acoustic for the late-night sessions.
3: You’re stranded on an island: name three things you couldn’t live without.
My dog Trane, a hammock, and some good hot sauce.
4: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Call me crazy but I actually like it here! I could not live without Mexican food, period. Plus we have the Lakers, Dodgers, great weather, my family…you get the idea.
5: Favorite genre of music to listen to and/or to play?
I love all of it. I enjoy playing loud rock n’ roll with the band, but I also really like to play classical guitar. Hearing John Williams for the first time was a spiritual experience for me (nerd alert).
6: What’s your most relatable pop culture reference?
I’m just excited that Shark Week is finally upon us.
7: Mountains or beach?
Beach, which happens to be surrounded by mountains in most of California. Bam.
8: Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert.
9: How do you maintain your cool, calm demeanor
Good genes probably. That’s where I get my modesty too.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
It’s the people. Speaking of which, I love your work, Sarit. Where’s your shout-out blog, huh?
Adriana Camarillo joined the Visions team in 2006 as one of our educators. She worked at our residential facilities and eventually became part of the Outpatient/Day School team, working closely with Joseph Rogers and Fiona Ray. In 2011, she left to pursue other things, but she is back in full force and we are beyond grateful!
Adriana has recently earned her masters degree in Educational Counseling coupled with a Pupil Services credential, a testament to Adriana’s bold and thorough educational background. Dri, ever-dedicated to her students, remains true to the age-old art of teaching. For example, she will deftly find the very thing that sullied a student’s relationship to math, and reignite their desire to learn one of their toughest subjects. It’s a great testament to her character that Adriana teaches to the student and not to the test. She is truly a remarkable teacher.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this, though: Adriana is funny! Hilarious, really. She’s able to bring a mix of firm boundaries and humor to a room full of adolescents—they love her and respect her for this! We are honored she came back to us after a year away—Visions is truly blessed to have such an incredible teaching team!
The staff can’t agree more! Check out what they had to say:
“Adriana is a stable presence at the Day School. She remains calm in the midst of the daily press of business, always ready to help our students regardless of what else is happening. She is an amazing resource for students preparing for college, helping with SAT prep, application essays, and the bureaucratic maze of forms and requirements. “Dri” is absolutely reliable and someone the students can count on for help and support. Dri is a real team player, and the one you always want around to make you laugh when things get difficult.” – Joseph Rogers
“Adriana is an amazing person to work with. She is very passionate and understanding. She has a great personality that is infectious (and sometimes too happy for me!). I’m proud to work alongside her and most importantly, proud to call her my friend.” — Ryan Cox
“Adriana is a selfless, loyal and inspiring person. You can always count on her to brighten your day with a wide smile and a positive attitude. She approaches teaching and mentoring students with fortitude and conviction. Adriana understands her students, picking up on their subtle nuances and adapting her academic plans based on the individual. She listens with an open mind and an open heart while instilling hope for their future. Her students are lucky to have her and I am lucky to know her. She makes us all better people.” Fiona Ray
“Guess who’s back…back again? Dri is back…tell a friend. We could not be more excited to have Adriana back in our world! She has always been an example for our students, teaching with poise and balance, and never letting the toughest challenges scare her, in fact, she finds the best way to reach her kids and turns those challenges into triumphs. Adriana brings just the right amount of humor and boundaries so the kids know that she is always looking out for their best interests. We are excited to welcome her back with open arms!” – Amanda and Chris Shumow
Now let’s get to Adriana’s answers to those silly questions we always ask:
1: Who was your first influential teacher and why?
Throughout my life I have had a number of influential teachers. Some were amazing because they remembered my name year after year. Others were amazing because they were interesting and worked at keeping us entertained while they taught. I think the first teacher to influence me was Ms. MacDonald. She was a great teacher. She listened, she challenged me, and she believed in me. I still see her around sometimes and she remembers me. Things like that have always mattered to me.
2: What is the most challenging yet satisfying subject you teach?
I think that the most challenging subject for me would be math. I have always loved math but that is rarely the case for other people. It’s most challenging because most students have a poor representation of math and therefore, they do not like it. I like getting students to understand the concepts and overcome their dislike for the subject.
3: If money were no object, where would you live?
If money were no object, I would live in San Francisco but I would definitely have a few vacation homes in Hawaii, Chicago, L.A., and New York. And of course, I would love to travel the world to see all the beautiful places this world has to offer.
4: What’s your favorite season?
California doesn’t really have all four season but I love Fall. I love the way the weather feels. I love wearing hoodies and jeans. I love the color of the trees and the smell.
5: If you were a Muppet, who would you be?
A Muppet? Ummm, I think I’d be Fozzie Bear mostly because I like to make people laugh. Usually my jokes aren’t followed by tomatoes but I enjoy smiling and I like the people around me to smile too.
6: What TV show has serious consequences if interrupted?
I’m not a big tv person. But there are three shows that cannot be interrupted. Those are Sons of Anarchy, Dexter, and Smash. They are my favorite shows and I usually watch each episode twice. Once for viewing pleasure and the second time to make sure i got everything the first time.
7: What’s your Starbucks order?
I’m not a fan of complicated coffee orders. I like iced non-fat caramel machiatto.
8: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a nurse growing up and i actually began college in a nursing program but after taking a few courses, I realized that nursing wasn’t for me and I decided to pursue teaching instead. I still love the idea of being a nurse but I can’t handle the “gross” aspect involved in caring for other health and I hate blood.
9: Do you sing in the car when you’re driving along? And better yet, do you stop singing at a stoplight?
I sing every where! Car, shower, classroom, store… you name it and I have probably sang a song or two. I don’t have a particularly great voice but I just love singing. It makes me happy and people usually respond well to the stranger who is serenading them in the line at the grocery store. Needless to say, I don’t stop when I get to a stoplight, in fact, I usually use that time to sing louder and add in a few dance moves.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I began working for Visions with very little information of what I was getting myself into. I was with them for almost 5 years. I left briefly this last year to teach middle school and now I am back. I came back mainly because it is my home. My coworkers are like family and I have never felt so welcomed and appreciated in one place. Working here has combined my love of helping youth with an enjoyable environment that allows me to truly say “I love what I do.”
Bill Hoban has served as the Director of Clinical Services for Visions Adolescent Treatment for the last 10 years—essentially since the beginning! He not only brings with him decades of expertise in the fields of addiction and mental health, he carries a sense of calm focus that lends an air of confidence and security to the clients and staff.
Every interaction I’ve ever had with Bill has put a smile on my face. He is authentic, he is kind, and he strikes me as one who truly leads by example. He is also funny in that wonderful dry kind of way that I truly adore. The staff, as you will see, was not short on words about Bill. He even garnered a Walt Whitman reference from a team member (see Lianne’s quote below!). The accolades and respect for Mr. Hoban run deeply. We are ever so grateful for you, Bill!
“Bill Hoban joined us when we were not sure that we were going to make it through the year. I believe that under his direction, Visions truly became the best program for adolescents in the country. He is truly dedicated to helping the toughest of clients and the stubbornness of parents! His tag line, “More shall be revealed” has been turned into mugs, bracelets and tshirts, but more importantly, a way of life for the families and clients at Visions. We can’t imagine what the past 10 years would have been like without Bill’s sense of humor, loyalty and experience.” – Amanda and Chris Shumow
“‘Bill shall be revealed.’ Bill has a no-nonsense approach to therapy that makes sense to the kids he works with. They know exactly where they stand and he is somehow able to make parents and clients see their role in the conflict without taking sides. Bill may be intimidating at first to most people, but I have always found him to be approachable and supportive. He has taught me to be a caring professional with healthy boundaries. As a loving husband, father, and a Vietnam veteran, he earns my respect. I am fortunate to have him as a boss because he lets me know exactly where I stand.” – Daniel Dewey
“Initial impression of Bill: a formidable man who is never afraid to make a tough decision. However, he is also a man with a big heart, dedicated to helping teenagers become clean and sober while learning to avoid life’s pitfalls. The kids love him because of his ability to be straightforward and honest. I have known Bill for ten years and discovered early that it is very easy to tease him…I never miss an opportunity. Oh, and he never does art!” — Susan the Art Lady
“‘Oh Captain! My Captain!’ Bill Hoban is a force to reckon with. But don’t be afraid. This is a man who will melt over a newborn baby or a little puppy. Once you look past his gruff exterior, you find a man with purpose. Bill can see past a resident’s issues and get to the core of who they are. It has been great working with him these last 6 years. And even now, more is being revealed.” – Lianne Domingo
“Bill is awesome! Let me elaborate for those who need convincing. A huge part of what I take for granted in my own skill set is derived from conversations and trainings with Bill over the last 10 years we have worked together. His contribution to Visions program development cannot be overstated. His ability to disseminate clinical objectives to a wide audience has always impressed me and our company value placed upon communication is greatly influenced by his experience and leadership.” — Roger L’Heurault
“Bill is an amazing example of perseverance, kindness and loyalty.” – Mie Kaneda
In case you were wondering, yes, we most certainly sent Bill a list of silly questions to ponder. I love his short, concise answers, proving that he really does shoot from the hip!
1. What’s your favorite movie?
Thunder Road.
2. Regular or decaf?
Regular.
3. Would rather travel by plane, train, or automobile?
Auto.
4. Mac or PC?
Mac.
5. Do you relish in turning the pages of a book or “turning pages” in a tablet?
Fiona Ray has never ceased to be authentic, straightforward, and honest. She carries herself with confidence and exudes an aura of calm wisdom. She heads several sober living houses and oversees our treatment programs as Visions Clinical Director and she does all of this while appearing cool as a cat. Always moving and tracking information, Fiona has her finger on the pulse at all times. She knows when to be firm, and she knows when to soften. She is able to tend to the needs of the staff and the families in such a way that you know she is there for you. Fiona is one of a kind.
Honestly, I think this is just who Fiona is: a sincerely dedicated, determined woman, desirous of creating an environment that is both healing and empowering for her clients and co-workers. She shoots straight from the hip, she doesn’t candy-coat things, and she essentially tells it how it is. These are qualities deeply respected by our population, and revered by those who work beside her. It’s refreshing to encounter someone like Fi, whose truth drives her authenticity. As a result, she has a client base that respects her deeply and a staff that is willing to stand with her on the front lines of this transformative process of recovery. We are grateful to have someone like Fiona as our Clinical Director.
The staff has some pretty amazing things to say as well. Check it out:
“Fiona, is one of the most determined, committed professionals I have had the honor to work with. There are very few individuals who are as intensely driven to do the best for each and everyone of their clients.” – John Lieberman
“I remain in total awe of Fi’s capacity to multitask – she flows so quickly from managing one area of our operations to the next, always treating everyone with the equal expectation to keep Visions humming at the highest level. The only way she could command so much respect from so many is that we all know she has the biggest heart, and is working harder than anyone.” Jesse Engdahl
“Fiona is amazing. I am grateful for being given the opportunity to work with her here at IOP. She has a fun and, at times, bubbly personality and I feel safe and comfortable approaching her with any issues that I have (personal and professional). Bottom line: The longer I work with Fiona, the more I love and admire her. She is one of the strongest women I know.” Natalie Holman
“If Fiona is around, you know the job will get done. So smart and great at what she does. I owe a lot to her: a friend, colleague and great person. I feel truly blessed to know her and work with her. A pillow doesn’t stand a chance around her!!” Nono AKA Noelle Rodriguez
And without further adieu, let’s hear what Fiona had to say when we sent her very own silly set of questions:
1. Cats or Dogs?
Meow.
2. Favorite shop in Los Angeles?
Livestyle
3. Describe your dream car
1962 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. 409 V8/4 Speed/4:11. Black on Black.
4. What’s your Starbucks order?
Grande Quad Sugarfree Vanilla Soy Latte.
5. Cupcakes or Smuffins?
Both, at the same time. Now.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be with?
Steve Jobs.
7. Favorite poem?
Desiderata – Max Ehrmann.
8. Favorite song to belt out in traffic?
In the Evening – Led Zeppelin.
9. How do you keep your locks so shiny?
Shu Uemura – Moisture Velvet – Shampoo & Conditioner with a dash of Moroccan Oil.
For the last 9 years, Heather Colligan has championed the cause for healing and recovery for teens and families alike. Her commitment and dedication to the families that cross her path is truly remarkable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from alumni how invaluable Heather was in their lives while they were in treatment. One of the things that has always impressed me about Heather is her ability to remain soft in her approach while maintaining firmness in her convictions–she demonstrates what I like to call “fierce compassion.” Heather is held in high regard by both clients and staff alike; she is proof that bringing heartfulness to the table when working with teens and their families is both an art and a gift. We are extremely fortunate to have her on our team and as part of the Visions family.
The staff really had some inspiring things to say:
“Heather puts her heart and soul into her work. She is one of the most caring and dedicated people I’ve ever known, and Visions is lucky to have her.” Patrick Schettler
“It is hard to imagine Visions without her…so I won’t. What a composed professional and cool operator while in the thick of it. I remember being blown away the first time I sat in with her during an intense session. Never had I seen someone with so much compassion and clarity of purpose in tandem. She has the ability to show true kindness, navigate road blocks to therapeutic growth while remaining detached yet invested. What a tenacious advocate these kids have had in her over these many years.” Roger L’Hereault
“Heather is wonderful. Watching her work with our kids is great because she knows how to draw them out and make them realize what they are capable of. Even on her craziest and busiest days, Heather manages to keep it together and keep the Latigo house going. Heather is the foundation and heartbeat of Latigo.” Lianne Domingo
“I have known Heather since she arrived at Visions. Always positive and quite funny, she has this delightful ability to laugh at her own foibles. This amazing quality continually helps me as well as the clients to release us from the unrealistic expectation monsters we impose on ourselves; Quite a gift!
Anyone that is around Heather recognizes her love of the color purple. Any art she has done with me is full of wonderful shades of lavender, lilac, purple and plum. Purple is also the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. And, she is aptly named, as Heather is a purple-flowered plant that grows abundantly on the Scottish moors. It is beautiful and very tenacious – definitely two of Heather’s qualities. Thank you, Heather, for your amazing gifts! They have influenced us all.” — Susan “The Art Lady” O’Connor
And of course, Heather couldn’t escape our list of curious questions:
1. What inspired you to work with adolescents?
I taught high school for years and I loved the teens, but many of them had other issues impacting their schooling, so I decided to get my next degree in counseling, so I could help in a different way.
2. Cloth or disposable?
Disposable of course!
3. What’s your ideal vacation spot?
Ski trip to Switzerland. Used to take school trips there as a kid. I loved it.
4. Funniest craving when you were carrying your son?
None, actually.
5. Guilty TV pleasure?
Revenge.
6. Optimist, Pessimist, or Realist?
Realist.
7. Anna Freud, Erik Erikson, or Jean Piaget?
All
8. Has becoming a parent changed your worldview?
Yes, I am even more aware that harmony is needed.
9. If you were a Muppet, who would you be?
Kermit.
10. Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I really enjoy seeing people change their lives and feel honored that families let me accompany them on their journey.
Jennifer Garrett, better known as Jen G. around these parts, is one of our amazing success stories. A Visions alumni, she decided to come back and join the ranks as a Visions’ program aide in 2010. She endured the night shift, transitioned to the much sought after day shift and eventually became a Recovery Mentor. Jen is a remarkably strong individual, and her dedication to the clients and her co-workers is palpable. As Amanda says, Jen is the “quiet storm” at Visions—she’s remarkably shy and keeps to herself, but her dedication and strength speaks for itself. With the recent opening of NeXt—our Adolescent Extended Care program, Jen was the ideal candidate to be promoted to NeXt Manager. We are beyond grateful to have Jen here at Visions, and are fortunate to have someone of her caliber on our team.
Check out what the staff had to say!!
“I remember working with Jen when she first came to us as a resident. Jen was on point, really wanted to do the deal, and very much wanted to have a better life for herself. I was thrilled when she got time under her belt and came back to work with us at Visions. Some of Jen’s best qualities include her ability to roll with the punches, her ability to lead others, her insight, and her strength. Jen is an amazing example of a woman in sobriety and I am so proud to count her as a peer and friend.” – Lianne Domingo
“She’s a quiet force at Visions…always reliable.” Christina Howard
“She is committed, loyal and has an incredible work ethic. She maintains composure during crisis and she’s solution oriented. She maintains gratitude and fortitude in her endeavors.” – Fiona Ray
“Jen is an alumni of Visions who came back to give back to the clients. She is a role model for the clients, and a steady example of a woman in recovery. After working as a program aide, she moved up to help open and run the extended care facility. Always conscientious, Jen makes sure that the clients know they are cared for. Thanks, Jen, for a great few years! We are proud to have you as part of the team.” – Amanda and Chris Shumow
Check out Jen’s illustrious answers to our curious questions:
I choose to work for Visions because it is rewarding not only for myself but for many others as well. Although some days can be difficult and met with resistance, the days you get to see the light come on in others’ eyes as it did for myself is so worth it. I have fun at work and love what I do. Not to mention, I love everyone on the team and appreciate all the hard work everyone does to make Visions the best environment to work in.
Roger L’Hereault has been an integral part of the Visions Team for the last 10 years. He has a deep dedication to creating a safe and healthy space for clients to begin their path to recovery and has been responsible for building the fundamental internal infrastructure for the staff to follow. Roger is not only incredibly professional, he does so with great integrity and aplomb.This also means he sometimes has to don the “bad guy” role, but alas, he does so without falling into the negative follies so often seen in a position like this. The wonderful thing about Roger is: he can do the dirty work of maintaining boundaries and holding the rest of us responsible for doing the same, but still manage to smile, make a joke, and ultimately endear himself to the staff and clients alike. Pretty cool! It turns out that Roger is also quite a talented musician!
Don’t listen to me, though, read the amazing comments from the staff:
Roger is very detail-oriented, a fixer of problems and quite funny at times as well. — Heather Colligan
“I dread to think about what Visions would be like without Roger. His calm, respectful, professional management style is the reason his staff holds him in extremely high regard. His expertise in the field is a major contributing factor to our pristine record of resident safety. Roger is the one we call in to deal with very difficult situations. He gladly makes himself the “bad guy” when we have to enforce rules and structure. Despite this, he never emerges shaken, angry, or resentful. He is a sage source for the entire staff, from program aides to clinicians.” –- Troy Matthews
“I sometimes wonder if Roger is half-man, half-machine. Not only is he a natural leader, he has a superhuman amount of patience, and he is always looking for creative ways to make the Visions experience better. Did I mention he shreds on the saxophone?” — Patrick Schettler
“Roger… what can we say about the man who keeps us in line! He is the creator of almost all of the policies and procedures that help Visions keep our kids and staff safe. He is calm and steady during the most hectic of times. Roger’s loyalty and dedication has always been appreciated, and we know that he always has the clients’ best interests at heart. He has been with us almost from the beginning, and without him, we would likely not have been able to grow as gracefully as we have. One of the things I love most about Roger is his sense of humor at unexpected times. Roger’s consistency makes him one of our key players at Visions.” –- Amanda and Chris Shumow
And without further adieu, let’s see how Roger answered our bevy of questions:
1: What did you want to be when you grew up?
Carpenter or rock star.
2: How many instruments do you play?
I play 5 instruments: Voice,Saxophone, Clarinet, Guitar, Bass.
3: Favorite genre of music?
British rock: The Who to PJ Harvey.
4: Are you a landlubber or sea dog?
Land guy for sure. Ancestors were farmers so I never had a chance.
5: Introvert or extrovert?
I naturally walk the line of both but more of an extrovert the older I get.
6: Favorite comic book hero?
I suppose Batman. He was a heavy hitter without having a superpower. The guy had guts.
7: What’s your secret power?
If I speak of my superpower it ceases to exist so I’ll refrain. Rest assured it is awesome in the true meaning of the word.
8: Favorite place to relax in Los Angeles?
My favorite cigar bar or really anywhere I’m playing music.
9: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Spontaneous, Pragmatic, Creative.
10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I choose to continue to work for Visions because its mission and objectives align with my own beliefs. Love, open-mindedness and family communication are some of those shared values.
