Marshall sees her work as a ministry

“I enjoy helping people,” stated Tammy Marshall, Goshen. “I think that’s why I’m drawn to jobs that include serving people with disabilities. When I’m able to assist people, I believe I’m ministering for God. Ministry is not always easy. However, it’s always very rewarding.”

Marshall began her work with disabled people at Goldenrod after talking to a friend who worked there. Her friend enjoyed the opportunities she had to serve others. “My friend’s description of serving people drew my attention. I took a position working in an assisted living group home. My job consisted of administering medications that were scheduled for each resident, assisting with meals, helping with laundry and driving the ladies to places they needed to go.”

After taking a breather to focus on her family, Marshall started working for Forte Residential in the fall of 2020. “I work out of the Goshen office. I have two clients who are high functioning. One of my ladies is in her mid-30s. The other lady is in her late50s. My senior client can drive but enjoys a companion.”

Marshall takes her clients to appointments, outings, volunteer work, the grocery store and recreational activities such as bowling, swimming and Bingo. “Before our family went out of town for a week this past holiday season, I made sure my younger lady had the groceries she needed and her laundry was caught up. We also did some fun things like Christmas shopping.”

Marshall is involved with everyday needs in the home as well. Her clients have daily and weekly goals. Marshall assists with cleaning, cooking and organization. She also assures the clients’ needs are met by visiting food pantries, helping to secure food stamps and other day-to-day needs.

“My senior client and I volunteer at ‘All 4 Animals Rescue’ in Mishawaka. We feed and water the cats, scoop litter boxes, mop the floors and help the cats socialize by interacting with them.”

Working with people with disabilities is not for everyone. “We need to have a heart for helping people,” Marshall explained. “We also need to be loving and patient. And sometimes we need to listen with our hearts as well as our ears so we can understand what they are really communicating to us.”

The people with disabilities often have a network of friends and family members who are also in need. “In the years I’ve worked with disabled people, they’ll often ask for assistance for a friend or family member. That’s when my boundaries need to be firmly established. I must continually remind myself that I’ve got a family of my own. I’m not available ‘24/7’ for everybody.”

Marshall has two grown children, Jessica and Dennis. She also has Aaron, a senior in high school, who still lives at home. She and her husband Eden love having family movie nights. They also enjoy traveling to Virginia to see Eden’s family and then to Gatlinburg, Tenn., to experience the interesting sights and sounds.

She attends Radiant Life church in Elkhart, where she’s active in children’s ministry. Her husband and sons work in media ministry there.

“I see my work with disabled people as my own small ministry. I love serving Jesus in this way. And I really enjoy my clients, who are also my friends.”