Davis Receives Life Improved Award

Life Improved Award Winner Chuck Davis sits
with Bucky, a resident at the Irish Settlement
Road IRA, where he works. In the back, Program
Manager Justin Richards.

HEUVELTON - When a full-time supervisory position opened up at the Irish Settlement Road IRA where he worked, Chuck Davis knew that the time was right to return to school.
"When he came on board with us he didn't have his GED or diploma, but really wanted a 40 hour midnight position," said Program Manager Justin Richards. "Within about a month or two he earned his high school diploma online, which cost him a few hundred dollars that he paid himself."
Diploma in hand, Mr. Davis could now take the medicine certification course needed to become a midnight supervisor.
"We sent him to the first med cert course available and he did great," Mr. Richards said. "We always struggle to cover the midnight shift, but he doesn't delay when offering to pick up extra shifts. I even have many people who offer to pick up midnight shifts when Chuck is working and that is not by accident."
While Mr. Davis is a pleasure to work with, Mr. Richards said that doesn't mean he lets things slide by.
"When Chuck is on you can count on the residents being taken care of correctly and the house to be cleaned above and beyond expectations," he said. "He has the ability to make people around him better and it shows. He is a natural leader and has a record of addressing concerns directly with staff and working them out. He demands excellence when he is working and although he has that reputation, many people still request to work with him. His no-nonsense, but caring personality to both residents and his co-workers is a nice change. When Chuck is working I sleep better at night."
It was also noted, that Mr. Davis often brings in his guitar and will play for residents even when he is not working.
For those reasons and more, Mr. Davis was selected from a field of 30 nominees as one of this summer's Life Improved Award Winners.