When Meghan Martewicz interviewed for a clinical therapist job at St. Coletta’s of Illinois several months ago, the job seemed like a good fit.
Then, just before she started, Martewicz discovered she had a generational link to the nonprofit agency in Tinley Park that provides programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Her uncle, she found out, had attended St. Coletta’s Kennedy School many years earlier. St. Coletta’s archival records confirmed the connection, revealing that the same organization where Meghan now serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities once cared for a member of her own family, St. Coletta’s officials said.
“It definitely created a bigger connection between working here and my family,” said Martewicz, who lives near Crown Point, Indiana. “It just felt very neat and a cool connection.”
Martewicz only found out by coincidence, when she told her mother about the job she started in June at the Behavioral Health Clinic at St. Coletta’s. She had recently graduated from Indiana University with a master’s degree in social work.
“She kind of made the connection about her older brother, Brian, going to the Kennedy School,” said Martewicz.
He lived in one of the cottages on St. Coletta’s former campus in Palos Park after being admitted in 1970 at age 14, and graduating in 1977. He died at 47, in 2003, when Martewicz was a baby.
Martewicz said she enjoys her job, and knowing her uncle had been there made her own mission to help others at St. Coletta’s even stronger.
“It’s very fun,” said Martewicz. “Even though we work through some tough topics, the clients are always excited to see you and are very, very friendly. Everyone here is very welcoming,” she said.
She has a caseload of 22 adults and also helps with others. They use play and activity-based therapy, as well as traditional talking. One perk is knowing she is helping people in their growth as adults.
“A lot of times when it comes to this population with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adults kind of get left behind,” she said.
Similarly to people everywhere, her clients might face issues such as trauma or loss, she said. But many also deal with living under guardianships, which though necessary and typically helpful, means they “are not in charge of every decision in their lives.”
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“Emotionally sometimes it can take a toll,” said Martewicz.
Jessica Meyer, clinical manager of the clinic, said she was already struck by Martewicz’s kindness.
“I’ve noticed that with her interactions with the consumers (adults she works with),” said Meyer. “She actually seems like she really cares.”
Meyer said she liked that Martewicz jumped right in as a new employee, joining a Friday employee game day and participating in bowling. “When someone is new, they don’t always want to participate,” she said.
She, too, thought St. Coletta’s connection to Martewicz’s uncle was “really cool.”
“Especially because it was a surprise and one of those connections you make after the fact,” she said.
That continuity of generations at the nonprofit, as well as the close-knit, compassionate atmosphere, make the connection even more special.
“To see Meghan unknowingly return to the very organization that once cared for her own uncle is a beautiful reminder that the connections we make here can span generations,” said Heather Benedick, CEO of St. Coletta’s of Illinois.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.