Military member and family smiling
Easterseals PORT Health Celebrates Military Members and Spouses

Audrey Fisher is the Senior Program Manager for Child Placement, a program within Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH) Foster Care services. As Senior Program Manager, Audrey is tasked with overseeing one of the five Foster Care programs which is located in the New Bern region.

Military member and family smiling

Audrey has been with Easterseals PORT Health for 12 years and she enjoys the opportunities that are offered for career development. “ESPH has given me so much opportunity for growth during my 12 years here,” Audrey says. “The agency mission statement and values align with my own, and I’ve been able to work with so many amazing individuals in all different service lines. I love that ESPH encourages that collaboration and that they support my individual career goals!”

Audrey’s personal background of being a military spouse is another reason why she enjoys working with Easterseals PORT Health. “ESPH has always been supportive of my husband’s service, and considerate of the impact that it has on our family,” Audrey says.

Military member and family smiling

“Easterseals PORT Health offered comfort when he’s had to leave, celebrated with me when he’s returned and understood that my family does and should always come first. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to remain in North Carolina throughout my husband’s career, but that has also come with some challenges of being separated from him for long periods of time. I’ve never felt alone because I’ve always had my work family!”

May is Military Appreciation Month. While there are many ways to celebrate former and current military members this month, the most thoughtful ways are in the simple gestures of appreciation.

“I think that gestures as simple as pausing for the National Anthem, thanking a veteran or displaying the American flag in your yard are powerful ways to celebrate those that have served and are currently serving,” Audrey says.

Military member and family smiling

“Military Appreciation Month is important to me because I think it helps acknowledge all those who served our country, including past and present military members, and their families, spouses, children, parents and grandparents,” Audrey says. “There are also multiple military holidays throughout the month of April, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 12, Armed Forces Day on May 20, and of course Memorial Day on May 29.”

Easterseals PORT Health honors former and current military members by supporting military spouses. We are proud to be a preferred employer of choice for the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense.  The partnership provides agencies like Easterseals PORT Health with direct access to military spouses seeking career opportunities and connects spouses with employers who are actively recruiting. Learn more about the MSEP partnership here.

ABOUT EASTERSEALS UCP
Easterseals PORT Health is a trusted, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability and behavioral health services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our service delivery. Its diverse and inclusive 2,300-member team provides more than 9 million hours of meaningful support to 22,000 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home and community locations. Learn more at eastersealsport.com.