Michael's Story

“Every single day.” This was Michael Peacock’s heartfelt response when asked if he feels he is making a difference in people’s lives. He elaborated, “We are helping people live a more fulfilled life. It is my pleasure to assist our clients in their care needs and goals.”

Michael began his career at Homes for Independent Living (HIL), a MyPath Company, after working in several jobs where he felt easily replaceable and unfulfilled, believing his efforts didn’t matter. However, he quickly realized that his role at HIL would be different. “People count on me. Everything you do in this job matters,” Michael explained. He also expressed a wish for more people to know about HIL’s mission and the vital work they do every day. “Our goal is to help our clients achieve their goals and provide the necessary care and services to do so. This runs strong through HIL.”

Joining HIL in 2016, Michael has worked in several of the Fox Valley Homes. When he started, he had no prior experience in the field and no idea how significant and fulfilling the job would become—not just for the clients he supports but for himself as well. One of Michael’s fondest memories involves working with a client who had a passion for collecting unique hats. Each Wednesday, they would visit St. Vincent de Paul together in search of fun and quirky hats. Reflecting on this, Michael shared, “It was really enjoyable to discover hats of all sorts.” He found the experience to be as therapeutic for him as it was for the client.

This is just one example of how Michael’s work has positively impacted both his life and the lives of others. Beyond supporting clients, he has also found opportunities to make a difference in the lives of his co-workers. Most importantly, his career at HIL has brought a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment. In past jobs, Michael often felt unmotivated and quickly lost interest. At HIL, however, he is eager to be on time, willing to pick up extra shifts, and committed to giving his best every day.

Through his work, Michael has gained valuable skills such as time management, caregiving, effective communication, and therapeutic approaches to behavioral needs. Overall, he feels happier and has discovered a sense of belonging he hadn’t realized he was searching for. “Everybody looks for somewhere they belong. I didn’t know that until I found HIL.”