Imagine dedicating more than half of your life to an organization that you truly believe in.
Devotion is a word that is used to describe loyalty and commitment to an activity or cause. This is only one of many words that can be used to describe last year’s Bobby Reyes Award Recipients, Norma and Martha Bizzaro. Norma and Martha have dedicated countless hours and years to Esperanza and our community of members. They have worked with Esperanza for 40+ years and have made an impact and difference not only in the lives of the clients but in Esperanza as a whole.
“Forty+ years is a long time to commit to one place of employment. What made you want to dedicate so much of your life to Esperanza?” was asked of both Norma and Martha Bizzaro. “I was only temporarily employed at first, I wasn’t supposed to stay longer than the temporary season,” Norma said with a grin on her face. “…But when I first started, I never had worked with people with disabilities before. So, it was challenging at first to get accustomed to the clients and their needs. But why did I dedicate 40 years? You get comfortable with the work environment, clients, and you create a routine that eventually you never want to leave.”
Norma looks over to her sister, Martha, with the biggest smile on her face waiting for her response to the question.
“Oh it’s my turn” Martha says. “Umm.. I also didn’t start at Esperanza as a full-time employee, I was only supposed to stay for summer vacation because I was helping my friend that was employed at Esperanza. Like my sister, working at Esperanza was my first exposure to working with people with disabilities. I started in early intervention and I fell in love with the job.”
Martha smiling ear to ear, shares a little more as to why she decided to stay so long with Esperanza. “Esperanza has such a close-knit community within the staff, that everyone felt like family. It was a very loving environment for me and everyone cared for each other so much. Why would you ever want to leave a workplace that feels like home?”
Norma and Martha were asked what they have learned over the years about the community of people with disabilities. Norma eagerly started with one word. Patience. “I have learned how to have more patience. I was someone who had no patience before, but over the years I have learned to become more patient with the clients.” Norma then continues on to say, “When I was younger, I never noticed the community of people with disabilities. But after working here, I started becoming more aware and realizing that they were always integrated within our communities.”
Martha then goes on to share her answer to the question. Similarly to her sister’s answer, Martha states,
“I learned how to be very patient and to see the clients on their level as their own person and not just see their disability. I learned to be their support and that they need more patience and know that it is about pushing them to go beyond what they think they can do and encourage them. You have to be a caring person, to work with people with disabilities. If you have no patience and no care, you shouldn’t be working with people with disabilities. You have to have a heart.”
On the topic of the clients, Norma and Martha were asked if there was a specific client that has impacted them or made them think differently than how they used to think. Martha answered first and began to explain who has impacted her at Esperanza. “Kendall is someone who wouldn’t communicate with us and was very aggressive. Slowly but surely he has started to open up to us and communicate in ways that he has never done before. When he is grateful, he communicates his gratefulness by giving us hugs and shows more emotion now. Seeing his growth and change has been amazing!”
Norma pauses and then warmly shares who has impacted her over the years. “Someone who has impacted me was a client that we use to have named Sharice. I worked with her for years until, sadly, she passed away. She was my girl. Losing her truly impacted me in the sense that it made me realize that I needed to be more patient and caring with the clients. To never take them and our moments with them for granted.”
Norma and Martha were both asked how they felt being honored at the 2024 Esperanza Gala. Norma starts first by saying, “I was surprised. Surprised, but happy, because it made me feel good that I was being recognized.” Martha then goes on to discuss how she feels about being honored at the gala. “I was surprised and confused because I thought you had to donate to be honored at the gala (hahaha).” Martha laughs but continues to say, “it is truly nice to be recognized for all my hard work and dedication.”
Thanks to dedicated staff members like Norma and Martha, we have people in our organization that care for our clients and want them to continue to break barriers and achieve their best selves. We are forever grateful for Norma and Martha and all that they have done for Esperanza and our clients over the years. Norma and Martha were our 2024 Bobby Reyes Award and were recognized for all of their outstanding work and commitment to Esperanza and our clients over the years!