"A Feeling Of Accomplishment"

Troy Wisely Of NCMH “The people that I work with are all special individuals….we look out for one another..."

N3- Newaygo County Mental Health has been providing services to the community for the past half century. As part of Mental Health Month we are running a series of articles highlighting the good work that has been done as well as the good work currently being done. NCMH Maintenance ‘guru’ Troy Wisely is featured in this fourth installment. 

NCMH – 50 years
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For more than twenty eight years, Troy Wisely worked for the County of Newaygo, starting in law enforcement, and eventually transferring to the maintenance department.   Part of his responsibilities often included working in the Mental Health Center.  
 
In 2017, CMH was seeking a maintenance person to oversee their foster care homes, vehicles and the Fremont Autism Center.   Troy decided to retire after many years of service with the County, and apply to work at CMH.  For Troy, it was a match made in heaven.

“I have accomplished so much in my life, but I never thought that being part of the mental health family could give such a feeling of accomplishment”.  
Troy spends a lot of his time working to maintain the 6 foster care homes that NCMH owns.    Many of the home residents are profoundly disabled, and unable to speak.    Troy loves going to the homes, and the residents all know him and respond warmly to his greetings. “The benefits of having some people who are not able to tell you hello, but with eye contact and body language are able to express sincere feelings is priceless.  Some people consider what I do a job, but I don’t see myself doing anything else.”  

Troy ensures that every one of our homes is well maintained, comfortable, and a really nice place to live.  “When I’m having a rough day it always brings a smile to my face walking into one of the homes where people care so much.   I have made it my personal quest to put smiles on the faces of those who have so often put one on mine.  Each person in our homes has a story, and I am the person who will listen, even if I can’t understand everything that is being relayed.”

Troy is an invaluable member of the NCMH family.   He ensures all of the agency vehicles are well maintained, that the facilities are safe and comfortable, and fills in helping in any way he can.  
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As Troy says “The people that I work with are all special individuals….we look out for one another.  I don’t have a special degree from a school for this, but I have something that so many people wish they could have – the fulfillment of touching other people’s lives while they are also touching mine.   I am sorry for one thing, and that is I didn’t find out sooner the blessing it is to be a part of “my people’s” lives.