Career Path: Marthe Vilchert

When Marthe Vilchert arrived in America from Haiti in the 1980s, she began her career in human health services at a nursing home in Boston. When a friend asked her if she’d like to try sharing some weekend work supporting individuals with special needs through a respite center, she went along to check it out, and soon enough was working two jobs. But after a few years, Marthe realized she much preferred her second job over the first one, as she saw that she could make a real difference in people’s lives. So she took on a full time job at the respite center, and then she stumbled upon Advocates, when one of the group homes needed new staff.

That was 1990. Twenty-five years later, Marthe has worked as a program manager, then a multi-site manager, and in recent years, as an administrative director for developmental services, overseeing several of Advocates’ group homes. Each time an opportunity for advancement came along, she was hesitant at first. “I wanted to be close to the individuals,” she says of her early years working in the group homes. “I was happy, comfortable.”

But Marthe received a lot of support and encouragement from Advocates staff to take on more responsibility and expand her skills and knowledge. And she did want to learn as much as she could about developmental services – she knew if she advanced, she would be exposed to more opportunities. She says that her current role has provided her with access to people and resources so she can make referrals to clients and send them in the right direction.

Marthe says one of the best things about staying at Advocates so long is that she’s been able to mentor new managers and staff. “Other people helping me got me where I am today, so I want to help others to grow, too. I tell them, ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’ It’s a matter of time, dedication, and if you like what you are doing.” She credits Advocates for encouraging career growth no matter your background or interests.

In addition to her role within the organization, Marthe and her husband Wilbert became Shared Living providers several years ago, a very fulfilling situation for them and their adult daughter. She says this role is like any other at Advocates – “If you have the heart for the job, you’re going to be successful. Whatever you do, you need to do it right.”

Marthe has been able to take her experiences over the years and apply them to each new role at Advocates. And through it all, she’s been able to maintain the intimate relationships with individuals that she finds fulfilling, helping them to create better lives as they make a difference in her own.