Some spend their entire lives searching for a job that is fulfilling, luckily Joy Coordinator Megan Fleeger found purpose with Safeguard Joy.
Originally from the Chicago area, Fleeger moved to Chesterton in 2006 before moving to Hebron in 2014 where she currently resides with her family.
“My husband is from Hebron, so we came here, but I also really like the small-town feel. I enjoy the feel of the community and people here,” Fleeger said.
Fleeger first became acquainted with Safeguard Joy in late July of 2020 when she met the owner, Stephanie Parish. Safeguard Joy is an in-home care agency that provides compassionate care for those needing assistance.
“Safeguard Joy was official as of January 2020. Stephanie is the owner and she got it started for a couple different reasons. One reason is her sister Joy, who the company is named after, in 2014 was diagnosed with cancer and it kind of just rocked her world,” Fleeger said.
Safeguard Joy was created to help those who need assistance but want to remain in their homes. When loved ones cannot stay home, Safeguard Joy is there to assist.
“Before Safeguard Joy I was feeling unfulfilled working at the YMCA. I worked there in high school and then again as an adult. It was one of those things where I stopped and thought ‘what am I doing? I need to stop and figure it out,’” Fleeger said. “It kind of fell into my lap and I jumped at the opportunity. It has been so fulfilling to do what we are doing and to see the difference we make.”
Fleeger helps to coordinate home care for individuals from Chesterton all the way to Rensselaer as Parish coordinates home care services closer to her base in Winamac. Parish and Fleeger work together to assist as many families as they can, regardless of their city of residence.
“We kind of just go where the call comes from. If I can get a caregiver there, I will do it,” Fleeger said. “Every day it's nonstop but we make it work and knowing that we are making a difference for these families makes it all worth it.”
With her position as Joy Coordinator, Fleeger is able to serve those around her and witness the difference she and the company makes on families in need of assistance.
“I feel like I have that personality of just wanting to give back and Safeguard Joy helps me do that. I like to see the difference that I make, I know I’m making a difference here,” Fleeger said.
Part of her position requires Fleeger to conduct intake assessments of homes for client and caregiver safety as well as match caregivers to clients.
“I love hearing that it was great, and they loved their caregiver. Seeing these pairs interact so well is very rewarding,” she said.
In her free time, Fleeger enjoys spending time with her family and working out. Together, she and her family enjoy spending time in the outdoors.