Employee Spotlight: Caroline Sell

1) How did you come to AIM? What excited you about this piece?

My story and connection to AIM House is unique, and starts at a very young age. My father was the first Clinical Director of AIM House, and I have known Danny and Mae for many, many years. I remember when they first moved their residential housing from a loft in downtown Boulder, to their current residence on The Hill. It wasn’t until 2021, a few years after my son was born and I had graduated from college, that I was ready to get back to work in the industry I love. AIM House and their unique approach to their program’s vision seemed like a really good fit for what I was looking for, and it was definitely a full-circle experience. 

What excited me most about working at AIM is the environment of transitional living. I had prior experience working in acute and primary care facilities, and was eager to work with a population of young adults that were learning to navigate re-entry into the “real world”. I also really appreciate the space that AIM House gives its mentors to bring their own flare and flavor of mentorship to their work. This is not a “one size fits all” program; it is catered to the individual needs, strengths, and challenges of their clients, and similarly understand that mentorship is not a “one size fits all”. This ability to bring my own understanding of how I am in this world, allowed me to reflect on what frame work I approach this work through, and how I build rapport with the participants I work with and the community at large. With guidance from my supervisors and a solid blueprint of what this program looks like, I am able to have integrity with my own value system and client centered perspective in order to mentor these young adults with compassion and openness. 

2) What is the most rewarding part of your job? What brings you joy in this role?

The most rewarding experiences I’ve had involve watching the transformation of the wide-eyed wonderment and uncertainty of a new client turn into a steady and confident person through the process of self-discovery. Working with clients to achieve tangible goals, such as going back to school or getting a job, is integral to bridging the gap between external accomplishment and internal confidence. With that grounded and embodied sense of self worth, self knowing, and stability, these clients are able to move through the AIM house program and beyond, with a deeper sense of self actualization. Witnessing this process is what brings me the most joy in my job. I truly believe the 6-12 month program of AIM House allows for the true titration of coping skills, resilience, and transformation to take place in a much more steady way. 

3) What do you wish more people knew about the work AIM does?

I believe that the structure and vision that AIM House provides was an identification of critical gap in the treatment industry that Danny and Mae saw 25 years ago. At the time of AIM House’s establishment, this really was a type of program that was scarce but necessary. Throughout the years, they have approached their specific program with innovation and creativity to adjust to what is needed in this industry and have always had a client-centered vision. This innovation is what I value most about AIM House as a program, and feel that they are constantly looking to improve and support the young adults in need of that extra step of transition.

4) Is there a particular AIM moment that sticks out as monumental or memorable?

There is this really beautiful ritual that we do at AIM House at the end of a participants time in the program where we hold something called a “goodbye group”. It is essentially an opportunity for peers and staff to reflect to this young adult the impact they have had on the community during their time in residence and reflection on the growth and progress they have made. This small but significant moment is one of my favorite parts of AIM House. Getting to sit across from a human who you have witnessed fight tooth and nail for their own health and sanity is an amazing experience and to be able to say, “I see you,” feels powerful and validating.

5) Tell us a bit about yourself outside of your work. What fills up your cup? How do you spend your time away from AIM?

When I am not at work supporting the these young adults, I am raising my own child, Liam. I became a mother in 2018 during the time I was finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy at Naropa University. It was not an easy few semesters, but in a short time I experienced two rewarding moments, having my son and getting my degree. In my free time I try and spend quality time with Liam and my family. Being creative and doing arts and crafts with my son are two of my favorite things to do. Currently I’ve been on a pretty serious crocheting kick which has brought me a lot of joy.