Employee Spotlight: Deirdre Grassley

1) Tell us about your role at AIM House.

My role at Aim House is Lead Mentor. My responsibilities are broad, but my ability to relate to others on a level where I can meet them where they are and offer them an individualized program sums up my work best. I help participants based on their goals and desire to reach whatever recovery looks like.

2) What is the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s hard to measure what is rewarding. I think the best way to measure it is by watching someone grow and find the autonomy to make their own choices and goals. Sometimes, I’ll get a text after they have left, and it can be really rewarding to hear they are doing the thing they came to do.

3) What do you wish more people knew about AIM and the AIM Community?

I think participants and families sometimes come in and think of this as a treatment center. While it has treatment aspects, I would like there to be more understanding about what transitional living is and its benefits. It can be launching, and this can be the last “treatment center” you go to.

4) AIM is 25 Years Old. What do you wish for AIM in the next decade?

AIM Being 25 years old is a testament to its ability to continue to transform into something that young adults need. I wouldn’t change that because I think that the ability to pivot and learn how to move along with what the needs of young adults are is really important. We just continue to have those conversations and to grow.

5) What would you tell a potential resident/young adult who is considering AIM?

This is your chance to make this your last program. You get to decide, you get to be an adult. You get to tell us what you need and what you want, and we get to support that.