Each month, we’re excited to spotlight a member of the Orion team, giving you a glimpse into their unique journey both inside and outside of work. This month, get to know Richard Williams, our dedicated Overnight Coordinator and Rec Center Manager.
What was your childhood like?
I was born in 1977 in Kingston, Jamaica. In Jamaica, kids have a lot of independence from a very young age. Most of my early childhood was hanging out at the beach or roaming in the wilderness with friends. Each day I would have to gather water and carry it home on my head so that my family could cook, clean, and bathe.
When I was two years old, my mother came to America, and then she was able to bring me and my siblings to Miami, Florida when I was eight. It was a difficult transition for me for a lot of reasons – the language barrier, cultural differences, kids bullying me for looking different and talking different. I got involved in sports as a way to fit in.
When did you first feel like you found your purpose?
By high school, I was one of the best runners and football players in Florida. When I was 17, I moved to Arizona to play football at a junior college, and then transferred to ASU to play for the Sun Devils. After college, I signed with the New Orleans Saints to play wide receiver in the NFL. Unfortunately, that dream ended in my second season when I was injured and lost my spot on the team.
After football, I found my way into behavioral health work, and after a decade in the industry I found Orion Homes. I started here as an Overnight Caregiver, and then became an Overnight Coordinator and Rec Center Manager.
What was your most meaningful experience?
I remember my first night on the job at Orion Homes. A Resident who was wheelchair bound had incontinence in the middle of the night. I bathed him, cleaned his wheelchair, his mattress, washed his clothes and his sheets. It was overwhelming for me because I had never worked in a facility like Orion where all of the beds are personal care certified. At the end of my shift, the Resident gave me a heartfelt “Thank you, for helping me last night”. Those simple words changed my life. It grew my passion for making a real difference in vulnerable people’s lives.
Was there a moment that had a particularly strong impact on you?
My most impactful moment in the industry came just last year. In the Rec Center, I organize birthday celebrations for each of our Residents throughout the year. Our entire office team gathers with their home to have cake and sing happy birthday to them. After celebrating for this specific Resident, I noticed he was crying. The Resident told me “Rich, I haven’t had a birthday since 1996.” That’s almost 30 years ago. These are the reason I do this work everyday – this is what makes me love this career.