Roberta Wotus, playing the guitar, helps provide music therapy during a Lifesteps class. Submitted photo
An organization is only as good as its staff.
Lifesteps is a testament to this fact. Karen Sue Owens, Lifesteps’ president and chief executive officer, attributes the organization’s longevity to three elements: focus on improving the quality of life for members of its community, adapting to change for providing generations of care along life’s journey; and the dedicated and caring staff who share in the agency’s mission and vision.
Now in its 100th year, the nonprofit’s front line workers provide the support needed to deliver key services. Staff members build relationships, offer guidance, and facilitate positive outcomes for the people Lifesteps serves in Butler County and beyond.
Without their dedication, skill, and compassion, Lifesteps might struggle to make a meaningful impact while addressing the complex and diverse needs of its clients.
Roberta Wotus celebrated an anniversary of her own this year. Oct. 3 marked 35 years with Lifesteps. Wotus is a music therapist and Basic Education and Socialization Training coordinator and program specialist with the nonprofit. She’s been with Lifesteps her whole career.
“I was done with school on a Friday and started working with Lifesteps on a Monday,” she said, smiling. During her music therapy internship in college, one of her professors mentioned an opening in the music therapy department. “My start date was immediately after I finished my internship.”
Wotus said she doesn’t regret not exploring her options before jumping into the opportunity with Lifesteps.
“I always said I wanted to use the skills God gave me to help people,” she said. “I can do that here.”
In her role with Lifesteps, she provides music therapy and other basic education and socialization training services to clients ages 18 to 60. Some of them have been with Wotus throughout her entire career. She’s watched them thrive in the therapy program that stresses involvement in their community.
“The magical thing about music is it takes away any inhibitions,” she said. “You’re a totally different person.”
Music therapy works well for improving cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skill development, and for de-escalating stressful situations, Wotus said.
Over the last 35 years, Wotus said she’s watched her program give individuals an opportunity to grow, learn and connect with their communities.
“It’s not just music therapy,” she said. “We also teach social skills and how to be a part of your community. It’s about opening more doors and helping people to blossom.”
Being part of an organization that’s celebrating its 100th year is further testament to the impact Lifesteps’ programs have on the people it serves, Wotus said.
“They constantly evolve to meet the changing needs of the people they serve,” she said. “Isn’t that what we’re all about? That’s why we’re here. To improve their lives and give them the hope and support they need.”
Like Wotus, fellow Lifesteps employee Susan Bergbigler celebrated her ninth work anniversary with the nonprofit in October.
She first discovered Lifesteps after working as a child care provider in her home. Bergbigler said she nannied in-house while her husband was recovering from significant injuries suffered in a car accident. The work allowed her to be close to him while earning income.
When he was well enough that she could go back to working outside the home, she spotted an ad for day care staff at Lifesteps. She applied and got the job. Bergbigler eventually transitioned from the day care position to an administrative assistant role, where she currently serves.
“It’s really opened my eyes,” she said. “Working in the child care area, you feel like this is the whole world. At the front desk, you get the whole experience.”
In her job, she’s the first contact most people have with Lifesteps. Bergbigler prides herself on being a problem-solver, making sure people who reach out to the organization have the resources they need.
She said she wants people to feel hopeful after they’ve spoken with her.
“We’ve all been at that point where you don’t know what to do or where to go,” she said. “We do our best to help people. That’s what I like about this organization.”
One of the reasons Bergbigler said Lifesteps has thrived for a century is the nonprofit’s ability to launch new programs and resources that address community needs as they arise.
“The organization is growing with the changes of the world,” she said. “All they want to do is help people. And to think of all the people they’ve served over the years is amazing.”
Among the newest programs at Lifesteps is one designed to provide in-home support for pregnant women and new mothers to ensure healthy outcomes.
Autumn Timmons, senior director of family services, said she’s grateful to be part of an organization that’s doing so many wonderful things in the community. “There are so many wonderful people throughout the agency,” she said. “They’re the heart and soul of what we do — a lot of the behind-the-scenes people you don’t get to see who make things happen.”
The key to expanding services successfully is dedicated staff members willing to get in the trenches and discover what the people they serve need to survive and thrive.
Stacy Slater is one such staff member.
The vice president of early education, Slater said she never applied for a job at Lifesteps. Yet, she’s been there for 15 years.
“They just sort of recruited me,” she said, laughing. “I called to enroll my son in their preschool program. But by the time I got off the phone, I had a job offer.”
Her degree in early childhood education shined through during her call. It made her an ideal candidate for her role with the organization.
Slater has the unique perspective of serving and having been served by Lifesteps. Her son started the preschool program there 15 years ago and is now a thriving college freshman thanks to the early intervention.
“What Lifesteps offered us was something you didn’t get everywhere then — an integrated classroom,” she said. “They taught compassion for people with different abilities. From a very young age, they were infused with compassion. There’s something to be said for that social-emotional awareness.”
Lifesteps dedicated, committed and caring staff are a testament to the impact made to individuals and families served throughout the years of service delivery
Autumn Timmons, senior vice president of family services, conducts child check screening for Lifesteps. Submitted photo
Jenny Chapla, director of Behavioral and Speech Services at Lifesteps, works with an individual. Submitted photo
Stacy Slater, left vice president of Early Education Department, and Michael Gathje, chief program officer, attend an in-service training at Lifesteps. Submitted photo
Staff members from Lifesteps various programs attend an annual in-service training in Butler. Submitted photo
Lifesteps Look Back: Staff members gather for a photograph. Submitted photo
Lifesteps Look Back: A teacher works with a preschool class. Submitted photo
