Neighbor: Hill takes on a new challenge

Staff

Published Friday, December 29, 2000

Features Editor

Dec. 28, 2000 10 PM

God has taken Rochelle Hill from little kids to big kids and there isn't much difference between the two.

"Working with children and working with 'my young people' at Pike Manor is very similar," Hill said. "They both appreciate what you do for them and are equally excited about the anticipation of what's to come. They enjoy simple pleasures and love doing new things."

Hill is the activity director at Pike Manor Health Care Center and she thanks God every day for "allowing me the opportunity to bring pleasure to some more of his children."

"I thank God for this position," she said. "He opens doors for you to elevate yourself and He opened this door for me. I also owe special thanks to the pastor of my church, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit New Abundant Life Deliverance of Elba, for giving me direction and support as I accepted this job and moved into this position."

Hill is a native of Ohio, but her parents grew up in the South before moving to Youngstown for her dad to find work in the steel mills.

Her father later moved back South to Enterprise and Hill joined him in 1989 when he became seriously ill. He died on New Year's Day 1993, but Hill chose to stay in Enterprise where she had found a place of belonging in her church.

Hill has a degree in criminal justice and an associate degree in applied science with an emphasis in early childhood development.

In Ohio, she worked with Head Start programs and at private day care centers. She also worked security for the state of Ohio at a mental retardation and developmentally disabled center.

In Enterprise, she worked with the Head Start program during the school year, but wanted to find work for the summer months. A friend worked at a nursing home in Enterprise and mentioned that the facility needed a part-time activity director.

"I applied and got the job," Hill said. "I worked weekends and Monday holidays at first. Then, I was asked to substitute during employee vacations. The second summer, I was offered the position as assistant activity director."

Hill held that position for five years and, during that time, she became a certified activity director and began looking for a job in that position.

"When I heard about the opening at Pike Manor, I was very excited," she said. "I wanted the position and believed, if it was God's will, that I would get it."

Hill was hired and began the job that is the love of her life.

"I refer to the residents as 'my young people' because they are young at heart and in

spirit," she said. "They enjoy doing things and find pleasure in everything we do. They are excited about things that we have planned and that is important to me. I want them to look ahead with anticipation. I want them to be involved. I don't want them to feel like they have come here to die. I want them to think of Pike Manor as just another level in their lives and I want to make being here as much fun as possible."

Hill has something planned for the residents seven days a week.

"I try to have a variety of activities planned because our residents come from a variety of backgrounds," she said. "For instance, we have all different types of music - country and western, the blues, gospel and pop. We also had 'The Night of the Opera' presented by Troy State and they really enjoyed it. We have different cultural activities and, then, we have game day where they can play checkers, dominoes or even poker if they want to. We play volleyball and balloon ball and have arts and crafts once a week."

Church services are held every Sunday and singings are among the residents' favorite activities. Special holiday activities and events are always enjoyed by the residents and their families and friends.

"The residents really enjoy having groups come in to entertain them," Hill said. "They always remark how much they enjoy having them and how they look forward to their visits."

Hill has planned a couple of trips each month as a way to get her "young people" out and about. They will go to local restaurants, on country rides, to their favorite fishing holes, to the Montgomery Zoo and to a few surprise places.

And, Hill is as excited about the upcoming events at Pike Manor as the residents and she doesn't try to hide her enthusiasm for her job.

"I don't have a minute to spare after I get here each day," she said. "I'm going all the time. But, on the way home, I can't help but smile about the smiles I have received that day. It brings me so much pleasure to see happy faces and to know that my 'young people' have enjoyed themselves that day."  

 

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