LATHAM PROFILES: Gina Desimone

LATHAM PROFILES:
Gina Desimone
Adult Residential Counselor


What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy all of the experience and skills that working for this company has given me. I have been able to apply my trainings to real life situations and continue to build on my expertise in this field. Latham has allowed me to be very flexible with my work schedule, and you never live the same day twice in this work environment, every day is different.

Describe a few of your responsibilities and how you spend much of your time.

In my current position at Latham, I am responsible for med administration, meal prep and ensuring the general safety of the individuals that I help support. I encourage them to be the best they can be and role model appropriate behavior. I spend most of my time with the individuals I help support just doing regular daily activities; watching movies, going out into the community, playing board games and decorating for holidays and celebrations.


What skills are most important for professionals who work with individuals with PWS or other complex special needs?

Patience and humor are two very important things that can really be helpful in this line of work. Being confident in your decision making and following Latham’s general rules and guidelines can also help you excel in your position. Communication is always a great trait in the workplace. Working with the individuals that Latham supports also requires a lot of improvising and creative thinking, you have a lot of freedom to try new ideas and have a lot of fun with the people you work with.

What are the most important lessons you attempt to teach new staff?

There is a lot to learn and pay attention to at Latham. It is normal for it to take awhile before new staff are settled in. The best thing you can do is continue to ask questions. Everyone here is very helpful and so many people working for this company can be great mentors to help you along the way.

What do you love about working with individuals with PWS or other complex special needs?

I love experiencing the big things that happen in their lives with them; from graduations to Birthdays and holidays, to new jobs and responsibilities. It’s really special to see the joy and pride in their eyes when something important and exciting happens to them, especially when you see how hard they’ve worked for it and encouraged them along the way.

Has this job taught you anything about yourself?

This job has taught me that I can handle confrontation well, and I can be very level headed when faced with some difficult decision making in tough environments.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working at Latham?

When I am not working at Latham, I spend my time at home raising my two kids and enjoying my time with our family.

What advice would you give to someone contemplating a career at Latham Centers?

Working for Latham is an experience that is well worth trying. It will teach you skills and give you some experiences that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. 



Interested in a career at Latham Centers? Click HERE to view our latest job postings.

LATHAM PROFILES: Kevin Monteiro, Maintenance Dept.

LATHAM PROFILES: Kevin Monteiro, 
Maintenance Department

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy working with a great team and knowing that what we do impacts the lives and well being of residents that live here at Latham.

Describe a few of your responsibilities and how you spend much of your time.

My responsibilities include landscaping, which sometimes involves having the students help with gardening and clean up. Maintenance in general is a big part of my day and we also have the students participate in a “maintenance class”. In a group of three to six students, we will pick up or fix things around the campus.

What skills are most important for professionals who work with individuals with PWS?

I believe the ability to listen and show patience is important when working with our students and residents. Being caring and having the willingness to learn about the cause and effects of PWS are important. It is key to know how best to care for individuals with PWS.

What are the most important lessons you attempt to teach new staff?

How to be present in the moment and realize that each resident is different and may require a different approach.

What do you love about working with individuals diagnosed with PWS?

Watching and helping them to achieve goals that are set before them. I also enjoy the teamwork displayed in the groups.

Has this job taught you anything about yourself?

Working at Latham has helped me with my patience and has taught me to put other people’s needs before mine. It has also taught me that I can handle situations that I wasn’t sure I could.

How do you spend your time when your’re not working at Latham?

Spending time with family and friends and enjoying all that Cape Cod has to offer.

What advice would you give to someone contemplating a career at Latham Centers?

I would tell them that working at Latham gives you a great feeling about what you do every day. Working here with the great staff and residents is very rewarding.


Interested in a career at Latham Centers? Click HERE to view our latest job postings.

LATHAM PROFILES: Kara McDowell

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The flexibility in the opportunities to implement personalized curriculum here that creates memorable experiences, cannot be found in many schools. Each teacher here at Latham is allowed to be creative in their approach which makes our school extremely complex and unique. I am a part of an amazing educational team that is supportive and dynamic. It makes this job enjoyable and exciting. 

Describe a few of your responsibilities and how you spend much of your time.

As a classroom teacher I am responsible for creating engaging lesson plans, drafting Individualized Education Programs for each of my students, and creating an environment that is safe, social, and stimulating. I spend much of my time teaching my class basic school subjects, as well as providing support in social scenarios, implementing anti-bullying curriculum, and supporting each student’s individual needs. 

What skills are most important for professionals who work with individuals with PWS?

Flexibility, resiliency, and patience are all important for working with individuals with PWS. The ability to “think on your feet” and change your plans as necessary, is extremely important. Our students need people who will do anything they can to help them achieve their goals. 

What are the most important lessons you attempt to teach new staff?

The most important lesson I attempt to teach new staff is to listen. Listen to the students’ stories, comments, concerns, etc., and you will learn more about them as individuals. Listen to veteran staff’s advice, helpful hints, stories, etc., and you will learn more about how to be successful with our population. 

What do you love about working with individuals with PWS?

Their perseverance and ingenuity is incredible! All of the students at Latham are capable of surprising themselves, peers, and staff everyday! 

Has this job taught you anything about yourself?

As a recent college graduate embarking on my first teaching career, I did not realize that I was accepting a position that would teach me so much about myself. This job has taught me that I have incredible patience, tenacity to help others achieve, and an amazing sense of creativity and imagination.  

How do you spend your time when you’re not working at Latham?

As a new resident of Cape Cod, I spend most of my time exploring all this area has to offer and enjoying the beach. I also enjoy relaxing in my apartment by reading and painting in my free time. 

What advice would you give to someone contemplating a career at Latham Centers?

Learn about what we do here at Latham! Take a look at our website and blog to see what we do and what we are all about. Learning about the individuals we serve and their complex needs is also essential to any one’s success here at Latham. And if you want to be a part of a wonderful team.. apply! We are an amazing group of professionals and we work with an even more amazing group of young individuals!