Pictured left to right from the top: Jennifer Denk, Stephanie Houpt, and Beth Kilgore-Robinson

Social Work Spotlight

Get to know some of Insight's social work superheroes!

We are grateful to have many talented social workers here at Insight who contribute to the organization in numerous positive ways and bring their social work mindset to each new or challenging situation. Whether it is connecting personally with participants, coordinating resources for families, engaging with the larger community, helping keep things going behind the scenes, or just being a listening ear, our social workers do extraordinary work to further our mission. As we celebrate Social Work Month - get to know a few of our social workers!

Jennifer Denk

Director of Community Engagement

What is your favorite part about working at Insight?

1. I love being the frontline person who introduces families to all our wonderful services and seeing their loved ones thrive at the center.

2. I love working with my work family. They make the day better!

How does having a “social work mindset” impact your work at Insight?

I come from a place of service and support, even though my job may be seen as “sales.” I meet every family with the goal of helping them lighten the burden of their roles and pledge to help them, whether it is Insight or some other resource. 

What is something we should know about you?

I am pretty much an open book, so I am pretty sure I don't have anything new to add. I do, however, always welcome sour candy if anyone is looking to share!

Stephanie Houpt

Program Director, Adult Day Health Center

What is your favorite part about working at Insight?

My answer is three-fold. First and foremost is always the participants!  It is a true joy to get to form relationships with so many exceptional individuals who never fail to brighten my day. Even if it’s a challenging moment, I love being able to make that connection with them to help them through it. Second is being blessed to work with a truly incredible team! Insight staff members, without exception, are 100% driven by the desire to make a real difference in every interaction they have.  We couldn’t do what we do without the passion and dedication of every staff member, and I am so grateful to have such a fabulous team of such wonderful, heartfelt people. Third, I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that it’s a dream to work for a nonprofit whose leaders are so mission-focused – the end goal of all of our work is centered around always trying to do even more for those we serve, and it shows in everything we do.

How does having a “social work mindset” impact your work at Insight?

A big social work “mantra” that I carry with me is to choose to believe that everybody is doing the best they can, with what they have, in the situation that they are in. This is as true of participants as it is of care partners and other staff members, and it helps to approach everybody with compassion and respect for all that they are already doing to thrive amidst many known – and likely many unknown – personal challenges.

What is something we should know about you?

Give me a $5 Little Caesar’s pizza, a $5 bottle of Whole Foods red wine, and a good book to read and I am a happy lady!

Beth Kilgore-Robinson

Director of Family Support Services

What is your favorite part about working at Insight?

My favorite part about working at Insight is being able to learn about the person affected by dementia before learning about the diagnosis that affects the person.  We often get so caught up in medical acronyms, medications, and a diagnosis that we forget there is person who is a child, a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a Chief Executive Officer, or a Chief Household Officer so I enjoy knowing that person first.

How does having a “social work mindset” impact your work at Insight?

The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers reminds us of our ethical principles and responsibilities to human beings, not a specific group or population, but to human beings. Each time I interact with a family member, a person with a neurodegenerative diagnosis, or someone in the community, I visualize the words “dignity and worth of the person” from The Code of Ethics and let that guide my work. (My parents taught my brothers and me to treat others with respect, dignity and worth no matter who they are so I must give them credit before I credit social work!) 

Also, I want people to know that social work is a profession and not that person from the 1900’s who removed children from their homes. Social Workers are in corporate America, hospitals, private practice, military, government agencies, and so many other areas providing guidance. We can diagnose a person with a mental health concern, we can provide guidance to government and military officials about emotional intelligence to help develop strategies, and we provide psychotherapy which most people believe is the psychiatrist but it’s the social worker. So, my goal wherever I work is to provide more awareness and education about social work as a profession.

What is something we should know about you?

Something you should know about me is that I am an introverted empath. (I won’t explain more and will leave that information for you to mull over and decipher!) 

Want to know more about what our Social Workers do at Insight? Learn More about Social Work at Insight!