‘Resilience is key’: Hackley Community Care team honored for workforce Impact

When Shelondrea Johnson thinks about her purpose in life, caregiving is at the center. It’s what she feels she was put on this earth to do, despite the personal challenges she’s faced along the way. 

From navigating the loss of her mother and son to overcoming housing instability, Johnson’s resilience has been a defining characteristic—and one that recently earned her recognition as a recipient of the 2025 Michigan Works! Impact Award.

“I feel like caregiving is what God put me here for,” Johnson says. “Every person I come in contact with, that’s what I end up doing, helping them. And I’m OK with that.”
Through a partnership between Hackley Community Care, where she works as a medical assistant, and West Michigan Works!, Johnson has navigated life’s economic challenges while building a brighter future for herself and her children.

At its annual board meeting Dec. 9 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, West Michigan Works! announced Hackley Community Care and Johnson as winners of the Michigan Works! Impact Award. The award highlights individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to workforce development.

Clearing barriers

Hackley Community Care has been a partner of West Michigan Works! since 2021, leveraging the Retention Solutions Network (RSN) to support its employees. 

This partnership exemplifies how community resources and employer engagement can address workforce challenges while helping employees succeed personally and on the job.

“Hackley Community Care’s partnership with the Retention Solutions Network is a powerful example of how collaboration can address workforce challenges while empowering employees to overcome barriers,” says Angie Barksdale, chief operating officer of West Michigan Works! 

“Through this partnership, we’ve been able to provide Shelondrea and many others with the tools and resources they need to thrive personally and professionally, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered to the community.”

Johnson and Hackley Community Care will also be recognized at the Michigan Works! Association statewide Impact Awards in Lansing on April 24.

Johnson has faced deep losses, including the deaths of her mother earlier this year and her young son, who had cerebral palsy, in 2016. Despite these hardships, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to her family and her career as a professional caregiver.

“Losing my son, my grandmother, and my mom were the hardest moments in my life,” she says. “They were my closest people. But I’ve learned that even in loss, there’s purpose. I know I’m here for a reason.”

Support when she needed it

Her perseverance was bolstered by the support she received through the RSN and her success coach, Cara Achterhof. Together, they tackled challenges that might have otherwise derailed Johnson’s ability to work and care for her family.

Through the RSN, Achterhof helped Johnson renew her medical assistant certification, covering renewal fees and membership with the American Medical Technologists. Johnson completed 90 continuing education units, balancing coursework at Muskegon Community College with her responsibilities at Hackley Community Care and at home.

Additionally, Achterhof connected Johnson with financial assistance to cover three months of auto insurance, ensuring she could commute to work and take her children to school and appointments. Local organizations provided school supplies and mentorship services for her children, further lightening the load.

Johnson also worked closely with Achterhof to develop a financial plan, helping her achieve greater stability and control over her finances. 

“It’s hard to explain everything I’ve been through, but I know there’s a reason I’m still here,” she says. “I’ve faced so much, but I believe I still have a purpose to fulfill.”
Johnson’s connection to Hackley Community Care began when she returned to Muskegon from Raleigh, North Carolina, to care for her ailing mother, who had survived breast cancer but faced ongoing health challenges. 

“Hackley Community Care was the only job I applied to, and I got a call within days,” Johnson says. “They treat you like a human being, not just a number. They genuinely care.”

This level of support has made a world of difference for Johnson, who credits Hackley Community Care for helping her through life’s toughest moments. 

“The retention program at Hackley Community Care was a lifesaver,” she says. “Cara, my coach, helped me think through challenges and find resources.”

Learning self-care

Beyond practical assistance, Johnson has also found emotional and spiritual solace. Her quiet moments of self-care have become essential in balancing her caregiving role with her personal well-being.

“I pray. I wake up earlier just to have some time to myself, journal, and read devotionals,” she says. “I’m learning to make time for myself.”

Despite her difficulties, Johnson is determined to keep moving forward. Her ultimate goal is to open a foster care and respite home for children with disabilities, a dream she is deeply passionate about.

“That’s what I’ll work toward, no matter what it takes,” she says.

As Johnson continues to build a better life for herself and her family, she hopes her story will inspire others to push through their own challenges.

“I want people to know we’re going to go through things in life, but we just have to push through,” she says. “Resilience is key.”