Meet Shakia Sutton, Apelah's new Case Manager for Foster Care
We’re playing 10 questions to get to know our newest Child and Family Services Case Manager Shakia Sutton!
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: I am Shakia Sutton, originally from Jackson, MS, but we moved to DeSoto County in 2008. I attended Lake Cormorant High School. After I graduated, I took a year off before going to college to travel. I attended the University of Mississippi and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Q: How long have you been with Apelah?
A: I started working with Apelah in July 2021 starting out as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA). I enjoyed this position and working alongside the client, but I felt something was missing and wanted to do more with my social work career. I became a case manager because I love children and felt this was the best fit for me.
Q: What do like most about your position?
A: I love to see the children smile when I visit them. Getting to know the children and build a rapport with them is great! The best part of the job is knowing that I’m helping someone!
Q: What brought you to Apelah?
A: I was looking for an opportunity that lets me exercise my skill with care and building a rapport with clients. I felt this position would allow me to succeed because my interpersonal skills help me establish meaningful relationships with clients.
Q: What advice would you give to new hires at Apelah?
A: Success during week one is about balance: you want to make great first impressions, but you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself to get everything right. The goal is to learn about your new workplace and feel out your place in that ecosystem.
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned in your career?
A: Social Work has taught me that social justice and sustainability can be pillars of my everyday life. By bringing this awareness into how I live, I became more active, engaged and passionate community member. Social work has offered a lens with which to see the world. I now have a deeper understanding of connections that holds us together and the factors that drive us apart.
Q: What is a fun fact about you that most people may not know?
A: I love to be around family, love game night with family and friends. I can rewatch the same movie or tv series and laugh as if I've never seen it. I also love to travel. I enjoy listening to music.
Q: What is one thing you currently cannot live without?
A: I cannot live without family or my dog, Rocsi. I cannot live without traveling. I love to see different places and countries.
Q: What’s on your bucket list?
A: I would love to go to the Maldives, Bora Bora, and Dubai.
Q: What are you currently loving?
A: My favorite book is Who Moved My cheese? By Spencer Johnson, I love R&B, Country, Pop, and Gospel music. I love tv and movie Dramas, Comedies, Romance and Action.