Franchise Honors Maria’s Extraordinary Drive to Help Clients
Two-time Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Maria Garza is as steady as an atomic-powered clock, even while driving a considerable distance in the Permian Basin of West Texas to help a regular client.
Home Instead of Midland-Odessa and the client have come to count on the Care Pro who has traveled more than two hours each way every weekend for nearly four years to provide loving, compassionate care for her client. Maria’s service to her Home Instead clients has stood the test of time. She was first honored as Care Pro of the Month in March 2020, followed by her recent award in November 2023. Maria’s five-year anniversary with Home Instead is Dec. 28.
“We simply cannot say enough about Maria! During her nearly four years with her client, Maria has called off maybe one time and has been a consistent staple in her client’s home,” said Imelda Hawkins, Home Instead’s human resources director, assistant administrator and recruitment and engagement coordinator. “I am partial to Maria because she is not only a Home Instead Care Pro super hero, she is also my sister!”
Imelda added: “Maria’s reliability and caregiving abilities have won the trust of not only the client’s family, but office staff and co-franchise owners Lorena and William Shensky as well, with reassurance of a worry-free weekend for both of them.”
Imelda easily remembered her decision to “call in the cavalry” five years ago, when she dialed up Maria. Imelda was trying to find Care Pros for the numerous open shifts before Christmas in 2018 while working as the franchise’s scheduling coordinator. Maria had driven 138 miles from her home in Morton, Texas, to Odessa to visit her daughter.
Imelda recalled: “We were in a huge bind. After I called, Maria was at the office within the hour. She started immediately and has worked weekends and most school breaks ever since. It was a total blessing that my sister came to work with us that day.”
Maria, the second of 11 children, took pleasure in helping Imelda, the fifth child of the family. Maria, who works full time from Monday through Friday in her hometown, is in her 26th year with the Morton Independent School District. Maria recalled the bonding process with clients that started five years ago: “I got so attached to the clients. It hurts during the week when I don’t see them. I love to work with people who need my help.”
As soon as school is over on Fridays in Morton, Maria makes the two-hour trip south to Odessa, where she clocks in at 7 p.m. and works with her client until Sunday at 9 a.m. She has done that with the same client since April 2019. Imelda pointed out: “Maria was also a family caregiver to our mom and stepdad during their final years. Maria has the heart of an angel. She is raising two grandchildren and has cared for both since they were only months old.”
Despite the driving distance, Maria’s reliability has been unmatched – so have her caregiving skills and compassion. Imelda cannot suppress her admiration for her sister. “Maria is the most special Care Pro of all time. Well, I’m kind of biased, because she is my sister. She was and continues to be a blessing from God,” Imelda said.
Maria was pressed into senior care long ago. “Our mom died 30 years ago, and our stepdad lived on for a few more years. They lived two blocks away from me in Morton. When I took care of Mom, I had little ones. I was busy. I took care of Mom for four years. I stayed with her in a hospital for three straight months. It was a Lubbock hospital, about 70 miles east of Morton. My siblings drove over to stay with Mom when they could. I’d go back home on Saturdays and Sundays, and wash clothes,” Maria recalled.
Before Imelda went to work for Home Instead, Maria had not heard of the award-winning in-home care franchise. Marie first assisted a woman who later passed away. She also assisted an 87-year-old man for about a year. “The client had a little dementia, but he definitely knew if I didn’t make it on a weekend,” Maria said.
Maria loves being a part of the Care Pro team for the Midland-Odessa franchise, a member of a network comprised of Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor. With the world’s largest home-care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families and Care Pros. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Pros across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
