Lindsay Brubaker, an Assistant Teacher at Luthercare for Kids, deeply believes that the children she serves are like family. So when she learned one of the families from the child care center was going through an extremely difficult time due to a health crisis, Lindsay stepped up in a big way to coordinate support from the greater community and make a positive impact on the family.
In August 2021, teachers at the center had noticed one of the children, a 15-month-old boy, was not participating in activities as he normally would. Upon examination, they noticed that one side of his belly was protruding more than the other and felt a hard lump. They immediately called his mother, who took him to his doctor – a visit that eventually led to a diagnosis of stage 3 kidney cancer. He underwent surgery to remove his right kidney and a tumor, and he would need to undergo chemotherapy for the next six months. During treatment, the child’s mother would be the sole caregiver for the boy and his three siblings, placing her out of work, without pay, for the foreseeable future.
When Lindsay learned this, and with the blessing of the center director, she drafted a letter to ask the greater community to help this family in their desperate time of need. She sent letters to local business and organizations, requesting donations and prayers for the family. “We can only hope that we as a team can provide a sense of comfort and peace during this difficult time,” Lindsay wrote.
This is just one example of the way Lindsay displays the Luthercare Core Value of “Compassion” and her dedication to the Luthercare for Kids children and families.
Lindsay has been working with preschool-age children for 15 years, spending the last eight years with Luthercare for Kids. She currently serves as Assistant Teacher in the Pre-K Counts classroom, educating children ages 3-5 and helping them learn and develop new concepts and skills through fun, enriching activities. Lindsay and the team have continued to teach throughout the pandemic and created virtual learning opportunities for the students.
“She always goes above and beyond – in the center and in her own classroom,” says Center Director Jo-Ann Trepanier. She organizes the center’s annual Thanksgiving meal for parents, the Christmas program, and the Pre-K Counts graduation and meal. She also helps decorate the center for the seasons and takes joy in helping others.
Lindsay especially enjoys witnessing the growth from her students and building relationships with the families. “Not only do we teach ABCs and 123s, but we love and care for them like they are our own children,” Lindsay says.
Thank you, Lindsay, for the care and commitment you display to your students!
To learn more about career opportunities at Luthercare for Kids and Luthercare, visit https://www.luthercare.org/careers/.
Kyler’s Story here.