When Destiny joined Home and Community Options in 2017, she was looking for something different. Friends who worked at HCO spoke highly of their experiences, and their words encouraged Destiny to apply. What began as a new job soon became something much more meaningful: a career built around relationships, advocacy, and helping others be heard.

Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Destiny moved to Winona in 2015 to attend college, where she met her husband. Today, her life outside of HCO is centered around her family, including their one-and-a-half-year-old son, two dogs, and four cats. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and, most of all, watching her son discover the world around him.

Destiny started at HCO as a Direct Support Professional, became a Program Assistant in 2019, and stepped into her current role as a Primary Counselor in 2023. While her responsibilities have changed over the years, the heart of her work has remained the same: getting to know the people she supports, understanding what matters to them, and helping them have the opportunity to live life on their own terms.

For Destiny, some of the most meaningful moments have come from seeing people grow in ways that may not always be obvious to others. She treasures the moments when someone reaches a goal, tries something new, experiences joy, or finds a way to communicate something they want others to understand.

One relationship, in particular, had a lasting impact on Destiny and changed the way she understood communication.

Destiny once worked closely with an individual who communicated primarily through typing. The first time the individual chose to type with Destiny was a moment she will never forget. It was more than simply finding a way to communicate. It was a moment of trust and connection, and a reminder that being heard does not always look the way we expect it to.

As their relationship grew, Destiny learned to slow down, listen closely, and pay attention to the many ways someone can communicate. She came to understand that sometimes the most important part of supporting someone is creating the space for them to express themselves in a way that feels comfortable and natural to them.

That experience has stayed with her throughout her career. Working with individuals who are nonverbal or have limited verbal communication has shown Destiny the importance of advocacy and of never assuming that someone has nothing to say simply because they communicate differently.

In helping others find their voice, Destiny has also discovered more of her own.

She says her experiences at HCO have taught her to speak up, advocate for others, and appreciate the importance of being heard. But the lessons have gone beyond communication. The individuals she supports have taught her to love deeply, be authentic, and not sweat the small stuff. They have helped her see the importance of celebrating small victories, appreciating everyday moments, and taking the time to truly know the person in front of her.

Nearly a decade after walking through HCO’s doors for the first time, Destiny continues to grow in her career and hopes to pursue leadership opportunities in the future. But no matter what her next role may look like, she knows what will remain at the center of her work: the people.

To Destiny, HCO is more than a workplace. It is a family built through relationships, trust, and shared experiences. She believes the individuals HCO supports are the heart of the organization, and she is grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside them, support their goals, and learn from them every day.

Because sometimes, finding your voice isn’t about learning to speak louder. It’s about having someone who takes the time to listen.