As a shift lead in the Environmental Services department (EVS), Debbie Reyes is responsible for keeping things clean, sterile, and organized at the hospital. It’s a job that doesn’t usually demand workers to also be therapists. But when COVID arrived, Debbie found herself thrust into that work. With no visitors allowed, patients were lonely and scared. Debbie was one of the few people they saw. “When you’re the only visitor they have, they appreciate you. They appreciate that you check in on them and talk to them about what they’re going through. They look forward to you walking through that door.”
Her journey to MLKCH wasn’t linear—Debbie started working odd jobs at 14 and worked in cleaning at the Ports of Long Beach before seeing an opening at MLKCH—but she’s since found a life and path that she’s grateful for.
Supported by funds from MLKCH Gives, the health system has made continuing education and career advancement training programs available to employees. Debbie has taken full advantage of those programs. “I [want to] show others that there’s hope. When they say ‘I’m not smart enough’...no. I was able to finish high school at my age, so there’s hope for you, no matter how old you are. It can be at any age.” Through MLKCH’s programs, and with the support of her managers Alejandro Vasquez and Hector Cardone, Debbie received her high school diploma in YEAR.
Giving back is important to Debbie because she’s seen firsthand just how far the support of others can go. “Growing up, my mom was a housekeeper. We used to live in the hotel she cleaned. She never made it known, but we knew we were homeless. We had someone who always gave us a little extra, and that little extra always made it for us—whether it was to eat for the day or the week. I give back now because it’s better to give than to receive. I love it now that I can do it.”
Debbie brings her gratitude to MLKCH Gives as a member of the leadership team. She joined, “to show others that are in my situation that you don’t have to be a nurse or a doctor to be a part of this healing place. It helps to show [my coworkers] that we can all do it.”
Support your co-workers! Join Debbie in being a part of MLKCH Gives.