Author: Allison Cummings

 

First Year Co-op: Cummings ’20 at Coleman Professional Services in Lima, OH

Mar 15, 2017
 

My first co-op experience at Antioch is at Coleman Professional Services, a nonprofit community behavioral health agency that provides comprehensive behavioral health, residential, employment, and supportive services to the people of Ohio, regardless of their ability to pay. As a housing tech, it is my responsibility to care for my client and their daily needs. They require assistance completing daily house chores such as cleaning and cooking, as well as grocery shopping, clearing out the clutter in their house that limits their mobility, and monitoring their health status. On an average day, I clean the dishes, take out the trash, do the laundry, sweep and mop the floor, fold clothes, clean the bathroom, and cook three meals. I try to clean the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, and one of the bedrooms every day, in addition to maintaining any rooms I already cleared. Although it is difficult, I attempt to cook new and great-tasting food for my client and, on Fridays, I cook extra to leave leftovers for the weekend.

I also do the grocery shopping and work to keep my client’s budget in mind while shopping. There are small things to be fixed around the house, too, and I am pretty good at handling them. So far, I’ve fixed a  printer, refurbished a chair, fixed a door frame and the bathtub, replaced a doorknob, and set up an organization system for my client’s card collection.

I have a lot more left to accomplish in order to achieve my goal of creating a safe and organized environment for my client, but this feels like a good start.

Photo credit: Paul Giannamore

 

Communication, Multitasking and Problem-Solving: Allison Cummings at Circle K in Lima, Ohio

Feb 21, 2016
 

For my second co-op experience I am working at a Circle K in Lima Ohio. Circle K states that ambition is to become the world’s preferred destination for convenience and fuel. To achieve this goal Circle K believes that the ability to work together as a team is vital. Circle K expects me as an employee to strive to deliver beyond expectations and improve performance. They expect me to take initiative and responsibility for my learning and development as well as create effective working relationships and be a team player.

I continuously have to build up my skills while working at Circle K. My communication, multitasking, problem solving and leadership skills are tested daily. In any given day at work there are numerous things needed done and fixed. Working as a sales associate calls for me to effectively finish all the tasks that I am assigned to as well as working one on one with customers to finish purchases.

My goal while working at Circle K is to expand my communication and interpersonal skills. I have a lot of experience working in customer service already, but working in Lima offers a diverse demographic of customers. Most of the customers that come into circle K live on a low income and many live below the poverty line. Coming from a family with financial problems, one of my goals in life is to help alleviate suffering due to poverty. Prior to this job I have spent time volunteering in soup kitchens and homeless shelters. I am aware of the pain and suffering that poverty encompasses and I aim to help in any possible way. While working I strive to give all our customers the best experience I can. I make sure I save the customers as much money as possible. I announce all the deals we are currently having as well as promote our circle K rewards card which gives additional discounts for free. I make sure that it is known that we except EBT or Food Stamps. Lastly, I try to make our customers feel safe, welcomed and comfortable.

I think the most significant thing that I have done while working at Circle K is donating the food we normally have to throw away to individuals facing poverty and homelessness. While working I noticed that we throw out perfectly good food items. We throw out fruit, milk, and other items everyday. The fruit always looks perfect, but if we receive a new shipment we are required to throw it out. I asked my manager If I was aloud to take the food and she said once it leaves the display she doesn’t care what I do with it. So I have been donating it to various places around Lima. This may be a small start, but hopefully eventually my efforts will expand and eradicate one of the biggest problems in society.

Website: https://www.circlek.com/?language=en Website