Meet Cindy Lapointe

Let’s meet Cindy Lapointe, a program director who has dedicated 30 years to working for Northern Human Services

I enjoy working with the amazing people we support; staff who are dedicated to providing quality supports; coworkers who stand by my side in good times and in bad; and our Homecare Providers who share their homes and lives with individuals.

NHS: What do you like most about the work you do?

Cindy: First and foremost, I believe in what we do and the mission of the agency. Second, I cherish and appreciate the hard working people I work alongside each day, the amazing people we support, and knowing that I have had a role in making a positive difference in someone’s life. It truly warms my heart when I witness how caring and dedicated our staff are on a daily basis!  They are genuine and go above and beyond to support the individual and is some cases the families and Homecare Providers who depend on their support to get a needed break. The staff [at Northern] are absolutely amazing.

NHS: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement while working for NHS?

Cindy: During my first 25 years working for NHS as a housing coordinator, I managed the housing department, which also included a separate community support service program (CSS) where we developed a program to help families feel comfortable in assisting their family member in taking the leap to live independently (with supports). I was extremely proud of the program, the CSS team, and the service we provided. I witnessed numerous individuals take pride in their huge accomplishment, and the independence they gained.

NHS: In a few sentences, describe a typical (or non-typical!) day at work?

Cindy: For me, a typical day is arriving to work thinking I will accomplish specific tasks, and then realizing that rarely, if ever, that works out. My job requires the ability to “go with the flow,” prioritize tasks. I have learned to end my day knowing that there is still work to be done, and it may need to wait until tomorrow.

NHS: What do you enjoy the most about being a part of NHS?

Cindy: I enjoy working with the amazing people we support; staff who are dedicated to providing quality supports; coworkers who stand by my side in good times and in bad; and our Homecare Providers who open their homes and share their lives with individuals and provide a safe and supportive place to call home.

NHS: What is an important lesson you have learned from working in human services?

Cindy: Over the years, I have learned that most situations are not always what they appear. Taking the time to gather information before acting has been an important lesson in my career.

NHS: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

Cindy: My absolute favorite thing is taking my vacation time to spend quality time with my family who live in North Carolina. On weekends, I enjoy spending time with my husband at our camp in Bethel, Maine. I enjoy puttering on camp projects, fitting in some relaxation time riding our boat on the pond, or just sitting on the dock admiring the beautiful scenery.