Roberta Barrera
Assistant Program Director
Employment Start Date: January 2017
Why did you choose a career with The River Source?
I chose The River Source because I wanted to be able to work with people who are struggling with substance abuse. I am in recovery myself, and I felt that I would be able to offer support to others.
What was the interview process like?
In the interview, I was asked to share the reasons I was seeking employment with The River Source, and what I would contribute to The River Source team. I felt that by being in recovery, I had a unique point of view that would make me extra valuable on the team here.
How would you describe the training process?
When I first started my career here, I had another staff member train me on how The River Source operated. The most helpful part of training is the hands-on approach. I have had the experience of being in different roles at The River Source, and in each role, learning the role while having a lot of support was very beneficial.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
First of all, I love working in this field and being able to connect with the clients. I love being at The River Source because it is a supportive environment for our clients and we see change happen right in front of us, every single day.
How would you describe the culture and work environment?
The culture of The River Source is an experience in itself. The River Source isn’t just a place of work, it’s a team-oriented environment where we all support each other and work together for the benefit of the clients.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of working at The River Source?
The most rewarding part of working at The River Source is seeing the changes in our clients, from the time they arrive to the time they get discharged from our facility. It comes from the work the clients put into the program while being supported by the staff. It is truly amazing to see it, and it makes my job feel rewarding.
How has The River Source helped you develop your professional skills?
Since my time here, I have developed a lot in areas such as communication, interpersonal skills, leadership roles, management skills, problem solving, time management, facilitation, and critical thinking. These are things that I’ll be able to carry with me forever.
What potential is there for career growth at The River Source?
I personally can attest to the growth potential here at The River Source because I’ve experienced it myself. In my time here, I’ve had career advancements and have filled different roles. I have advanced from being a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), Day Shift Facilitator, Life Coach, Shift Manager, Weekend Manager, Program Manager, and I am now currently the Assistant Program Director.
What’s one memorable moment you've had since working here?
One particular client came to me one day stating she was not sure if she believed in God or a higher power. She would walk the track every day, at least eight times around the track, and one day she came back in from the track crying, with tears running down her face, and yelling my name.
Through her tears and all the emotion she was experiencing, she shared that when she went around the track, she began to say out loud, “God I don’t know if you exist, and if you do, I don’t know if you hear me.” She said that she was crying hard and had to stop walking. She looked down at the ground and at her feet was a painted rock on the track. It read, in painted letters, “God hears you.”
She called The River Source a year later on her sobriety date to tell me she was still sober and that she would never forget this experience. Neither will I.
Why should someone ultimately consider a career at The River Source?
The River Source strongly believes in working together as a team, and we see change on a daily basis. This field is truly rewarding, and you experience your own personal growth while helping clients with their own. There are advancement opportunities, training, support, and it is truly a wonderful environment to work in.