MAINS'L NEWS AND LINKS
MINNESOTA SHIPS LOG NEWSLETTER
December 2011 Ships Log (full version)
Pictured Above (left to right):Jared Cheak, Linda Orrben, and a National Guard Representative
SPOTLIGHT EMPLOYEE: Jared Cheak, support manager
I began my career at Mains’l in 2007, working as a program manager at a group home in Chaska. Early in 2008, I joined the human resources department. And, shortly thereafter, I enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. I had always wanted to serve my country, and now I was going to follow that dream. So, October 2008, I left my Mains’l family and shipped off to basic training.
At first I felt scared and alone, like I was in a world I knew nothing about. My first stop was Fort Sill, OK (home of the Field Artillery, Hooah!). I was told they “Break you down, to build you back up.” I thought about Mains’l a lot during this time, and exchanged letters with some of my peers. The time went so fast during basic training, it was almost like I was sleeping, and when I woke up, I was told I was going to Iraq.
After graduation, I had three weeks home and then I was off to the Middle East. I started training again at Ft. Sill, next Kuwait, and then on to Iraq, for eighteen months! It felt comfortable because I was now used to the military life.
Upon my return to MN I was rehired at Mains’l as a program manager for two group homes in Brooklyn Park. I felt happy, because it kept me active. Mains’l was with me through the darkest and happiest times of my reintegration, and welcomed me home with open arms. It was rough going from a strictly ordered environment, where I had to wait for someone to tell me what was next, to being a manager working in a fluid environment. A great Army saying is to “Adapt and overcome and learn to adjust fire when needed.” Keeping this in mind is was what kept me going. It seemed overwhelming at first, but as I continued adapting and overcoming, I was able to grow back into my civilian job.
The mission of Mains’l is to “Offer innovative supports to people, responding to their hopes and dreams.” Not only does this mission impact the people we serve, but it has impacted me personally as I pursued a dream and journeyed into one of the most significant and difficult adventures I’ve ever experienced. Mains’l supported me for a year and a half while serving our country. When I came home, Mains’l supported me in my homecoming.
CALIFORNIA NEWSLETTER
