A self-described “surreal” journey since applying to Penn-Mar “on a whim.”

To say 2024 was a “trifecta year” for Jessica Patchel is an understatement. The Penn-Mar North Day Program Manager graduated from college, turned 30, and got married. “It was a very chaotic, hectic year, for sure,” she said.

Back in 2018 when she was applying for jobs, Penn-Mar was the first place to get back to her. In what Jessica describes as “the butterfly effect,” she went in for the interview and was offered a job as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). From there she was promoted to Senior DSP and then Residential Supervisor, before accepting the position of Day Program Manager this year.

Early on, Jessica felt a passion for her work and surprised herself when she realized she wanted to learn more about the field. “I literally was the superlative of ‘class clown’ in high school and didn’t take it as seriously as I should have,” she admitted. “So here I was, nine years after graduating high school, deciding to take a crack at college, in the middle of the COVID pandemic, no less! It was scary.”

She began her journey at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), majoring in Social Services and eventually switching to Human Services.

In two-and-a-half years, while working full time, Jessica graduated magna cum laude with an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Human Services, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout — not to mention being inducted into the National Collegiate Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She described the experience as being “like a fever dream.”

Helping her with her studies during this time were James and Alexis, two of the people Jessica supported in their community home. Both were part of the residential group that gathered for a pizza party to virtually attend her college graduation via a YouTube link.

“She looked lovely,” gushed James. “I was proud of her and all the hard work she did. I helped her study, and I was so proud. She did a good job!”

Alexis helped Jessica with her essay questions and studied with her using flash cards. “I was smiling so big when I saw her walk on the stage,” she remembered. “She is the best person ever and very smart. She is a role model to me too.”

All the residents were cheering and clapping with excitement while watching Jessica’s big moment (so excited that they forgot to save her some pizza!). When she returned from the graduation to celebrate her accomplishment with them, James remembers her looking “beautiful when she walked through the door.”

Alexis gave her a big hug followed by a fist bump and admitted Jessica’s accomplishment has inspired her to think about going to school or college.

Looking back at all that has transpired over the past few years, it seems surreal to Jessica. “Where Penn-Mar has taken me is just incredible,” said the Career Ladders Level III Certified DSP.  “They say, ‘find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,’ and that’s how I feel being here,” she said. “The sky is the limit, and I am hoping to go back to school and get my bachelor’s degree in human services or healthcare.”

Jessica admits to always having a nurturing heart. “I love helping others feel good, if only in that moment,” she said. “I tend to see the brighter side of life rather than the glass half-empty mentality. I love seeing the people we support grow as we help them reach goals, they thought they may not have been able to.”

For anyone considering following Jessica’s career path she says, “You have to have the feeling inside, it can’t be taught. You can teach people the mechanics of caring for someone but emotionally caring for someone is completely different.”

James and Alexis would agree!