I'm Michelle Voke, your host, and I am joined by the vibrant and resourceful Vickie Harper, whose journey into service coordination is as unconventional as it is inspiring.

After spending 35 years as a beloved schoolteacher, Vickie Harper was pushed into early retirement by the Covid-19 pandemic—only to find herself taking on a new challenge just months later: serving as a service coordinator at Plano Community Homes.

Starting her new career amid lockdowns and health crises, Vickie Harper faced the unique challenge of building relationships and trust with her residents while adhering to safety protocols and public health guidance.

Vickie Harper shares how she transformed obstacles into opportunities by fostering inclusive community events—like treasure trove “stores” where residents earn gold coins for participating in wellness and social activities, cultural engagement through drag performances and ballet for seniors, and creative partnerships with organizations that benefit her diverse, multilingual residents.

She talks about the importance of honest communication, compassion, and healthy boundaries, as well as the strategies she’s developed to avoid burnout and ensure lasting impact.

Whether you’re a fellow service coordinator, a housing provider, or just someone who believes in the power of community, this heartfelt conversation offers uplifting insights, practical advice, and a reminder of why the human touch matters most—especially in challenging times.

Here are three key takeaways for anyone working in affordable housing or community service:

• Building Trust Starts with Presence: Vickie Harper actively engaged with residents—even during the pandemic's isolation—by being visible, accessible, and honest, laying the groundwork for genuine relationships.
• Creative Solutions Drive Inclusion: By introducing initiatives like Treasure Trove and multilingual communication strategies, she removed barriers and ensured every resident felt seen and supported, regardless of language or background.
• Boundaries and Self-Care Are Essential: She emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care as foundational to sustaining impact in service roles.

Advancing national standards of practice for service coordination by amplifying the voice of our members.

We are committed to enhancing service coordination through leadership, professional development, advocacy, and partnerships.

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