2 ladies have what it takes: compassion

Toni Ross and Mary Campbell, both of Youngstown, could not be more different.
Toni is a soft-spoken, reserved woman with an air of quiet wisdom.
There is nothing quiet about Mary. A feisty, young woman, she wears her thoughts on her sleeve.
Yet, with all their differences, there is one thing that these two women have in common. They have dedicated their lives to helping others.
Toni and Mary work for Siffrin Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services for people with disabilities.
Toni is a community support services specialist.
She goes to the home of two young ladies in Boardman and assists them with the duties of day-to-day living.
"I take them to the grocery store and clothes shopping," Toni says, explaining typical daily events.
While Toni is only at the home on weekdays from late afternoon until evening when the ladies arrive home from work, she is on call 24/7.
She provides a listening ear on weekend nights when the ladies have boyfriend troubles, and she has been that stern voice in the morning when one of the ladies will call saying she doesn't feel like getting up and going to work.
"I don't see it as a job," Toni says with an ever-present wisdom in her voice. "I see it as a family."
Home coordinator
Mary is a home coordinator at a home in Coitsville where four ladies live.
There is 24-hour care in the home where Mary works.
She ensures that the residents practice proper personal hygiene and reminds them of their household duties along with the more fun activities like going to the movies and the beauty salon.
"We have Pampered Chef and Tupperware parties," Mary shares, with her usual excitement.
A few weeks ago, one resident had her first slumber party.
"She was so excited," Mary recalls. "She had never had anyone sleep over before."
"We have people that have come from institutions where they have had to ask and wait to go to the bathroom," says Cheryl Moore, Siffrin program supervisor for Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
"One of the girls asked me if she could go outside and swing," Mary said. "I said, 'Go ahead, it's your house. It's your swing."
"This is their home," Toni explains, with an emphasis on home.
"A lot of people suffer from low self-esteem," Cheryl says. "Some of our individuals have no self-esteem."
With love and dedication, the Siffrin staff works to change that.
Focus on abilities
"Our staff is there to assist them in living with their abilities, not focus on their disabilities." Cheryl shares the Siffrin mission. "Everybody has a disability. Some are hidden, some are not."
It was Cheryl's "hidden" disability that brought her to Siffrin. She was born with a rare kidney disease.
"I saw what being different can do to you," she says in sharing the story of her childhood. "I had to sit and watch the other kids play. I used to draw pictures of kids playing."
As a high school student, Cheryl spent many hours volunteering at a senior citizens home.
"I found out I could help somebody, and it was so enjoyable," she recalls with a smile.
She looks for that element of compassion when she hires people to work at Siffrin.
"It takes a special person to be in this field," Cheryl contends. "You have to have a gentle spirit. I look for a hint of passion in their voice."
Though very different personalities, Cheryl found both passion and gentleness in Toni and Mary.
"I love my job, " Mary says, beaming. "I wake up loving to go to work."
"A lot of people complain about their job," Toni says quietly.
"Everyday I know that I helped. I gave to God's children."
gwhite@vindy.com