Dynamic Duo on North 3
On North 3 at Cape Cod Hospital, mentor Rose Ryder and Riverview School student Gretchen Wronski work together to make every corner sparkle and shine. The pair begin their mornings by creating a checklist: Greet patients, make beds, pull trash, sanitize high-touch areas, mop floors, clean the break room and bathrooms. Gretchen affectionately refers to her mentor as Ms. Rose.
Ryder, a Cape Cod Healthcare housekeeper, takes one student under her wing per semester to teach job skills and accountability in the workplace. Her mentorship is part of a national program called Project SEARCH, a school-to-work transition plan available to students in their last year at Riverview. The program helps young adults with developmental disabilities gain confidence, learn new skills and find jobs. As a mentor, Ryder says she takes a hands-on approach. “I don’t like to say, ‘Go off and do this.’ I enjoy working side by side with them,” says Ryder, who also volunteers a couple of days a week in the summer at Riverview.
Teaching is ultimately a two-way street, and Ryder says she learns a lot during the 2½-month mentoring period, including compassion, determination, gratitude and lots of love. “Working as a mentor is one of the best things I have done. These students are amazing.”
Gretchen explains the feeling is mutual. “I am so happy I get to work at Cape Cod Hospital. I was excited and jumping around,” she says. “Cape Cod Hospital is my favorite and housekeeping is my favorite with Ms. Rose."
