For 21 years, Joyce Ivins got paid to spend time with Christina McFarren.
As a Direct Support Professional for Bi-County Services, Ivins took Chris to the library, shopping and out to eat.
Though Ivins retired in 2021, the two women continue to spend time together -- only now they do so as friends.
“Chris still calls me everyday,” said Ivins, 76. “We’ve even gone out to eat a couple of times. She’s quite a gal.”
Health problems limit Ivins’ mobility, so she doesn’t get out much. McFarren’s phone calls brighten her day.
“She tells me about things that are going on with her family, or something that happened at work or at church,” Ivins said. “She knows my son, so she’ll ask about him. I guess we talk about things that normal people would talk about.”