August Employee of the Month
Abdul Kamara
No one was more surprised than Abdul Kamara when he was presented with the August Employee of the Month award. He had not seen or heard about his four Shining Star nominations earlier in the month. A collection of nominations came independently from residents, front-line staff, and department heads. Abdul Kamara’s professionalism in the dining room exemplifies the “above and beyond” criteria for a Shining Star nomination.
Watching him single-handedly serve the entire dining room, anticipating each resident’s tastes and desires before they ask, is like watching a choreographed dance. Abdul has everything under control. After working here as a dietary aide part time for three years, he has memorized everyone’s likes and dislikes. He has learned all of this because he cares to learn it. He says he likes to “stay ahead of everything and be prepared. It makes the job so much easier.”
Lillian Gonzalez, one of our residents, helps him set up the tables for breakfast each morning. Together they have fun with it and it doesn’t seem like a chore at all. He feels that his sense of humor is one of his best attributes. He is also very competitive, even when competing with himself to be the best at what he does.
Although Abdul began working here with no experience, he has been inspired to go to Culinary Arts School at Stratford University. He is working two jobs and saving money for tuition. His ultimate goal is to have his own restaurant one day.
Robin Ackerson, the Dietary Manager, has been a good mentor to him. He appreciates that she teaches him how to “do things right.” He often helps to prepare the desserts and helps out with some of the other cooking. She comments, “Abdul is an essential part of what makes our dietary department a success. He always has a smile, is definitely a team player, and goes above and beyond very often. During our winter months he volunteers to be on snow duty, allowing our mothers to stay at home with the kids while he trudges through the snow to work. Abdul is the ideal of what every mother would want in a son and what an employer would want in an employee.”
In an effort to learn more, Abdul watches his mom’s cooking techniques and watches cooking shows on television, trying to memorize everything they do. “I can follow a recipe and just instinctively know how to do everything right,” he says.
Cooking is not the only place where Abdul’s artistic talents shine – he has been into drawing cartoons and people for many years. As he says, “I like art and I am always drawing on everything.”
In addition to cooking and drawing, this 2009 graduate of Battlefield High School plays a lot of basketball with his friends. When he was younger he played AAU basketball, which is very competitive, but now he just plays for fun. He also likes to hang out at the mall with his male and female friends.
We are so happy that Abdul has chosen to “hang out” with our residents. He is a huge asset to this building and very popular with staff and residents. Congratulations, Abdul, for a job well done!
By Lynnette Esse, Activity Director
