West Michigan Works! announced Hackley Community Care and its staff member Shelondrea Johnson as the recipients of the 2025 Michigan Works! Impact Award for their outstanding commitment to workforce development. The announcement was made during the 2024 West Michigan Works! annual board meeting held at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on December 9. Both honorees will also be recognized at the Michigan Works! Association statewide Impact Awards in Lansing on April 24, 2025. Other award recipients include United Way of Montcalm-Ionia Counties, recognized as 2024 Partner of the Year, and University of Michigan Health-West, named 2024 Employer of the Year.
Hackley Community Care has been a partner to West Michigan Works! since 2021, leveraging the Retention Solutions Network (RSN) to provide customized, timely support for their employees. This collaboration underscores Hackley Community Care’s dedication to retaining a talented workforce while ensuring team members can remain focused on delivering quality healthcare services.
One example of this collaboration is Shelondrea Johnson’s journey. Shelondrea has demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of life’s challenges. A single mother, she has overcome significant barriers, including housing, the loss of a child with cerebral palsy and the passing of her mother earlier this year. Despite these hardships, Shelondrea has remained dedicated to her career and supporting her family.
Through the Retention Solutions Network (RSN), Shelondrea worked with success coach Cara Achterhof, who provided personalized, hands-on support to address her challenges and help her thrive. Cara assisted Shelondrea in renewing her Medical Assistant Certification by covering the costs of her renewal fees and membership with the American Medical Technologists. She also guided Shelondrea through completing the required 90 continuing education units, which Shelondrea fulfilled through Muskegon Community College and her employer.
Cara connected Shelondrea with financial assistance to cover three months of auto insurance, ensuring Shelondrea could commute to work and transport her children to school and appointments. To further support Shelondrea’s family, Cara connected her to local organizations that provided school supplies and teen mentorship services.
Shelondrea also worked closely with Cara to create and implement a financial plan. This plan helped her gain better control over her finances and work toward long-term stability, providing a foundation for a brighter future for her and her children.
Shelondrea’s determination and Hackley Community Care’s commitment to its employees highlight the power of collaboration between organizations like West Michigan Works! and community partners.
“Hackley Community Care’s partnership with the Retention Solutions Network is a powerful example of how collaboration can address workforce challenges while empowering employees to overcome barriers,” said Angie Barksdale, chief operating officer, West Michigan Works!. “Through this partnership, we’ve been able to provide Shelondrea and many others with the tools and resources they need to thrive personally and professionally, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered to the community.”
For more information about Retention Solutions Network services, visit their page below.
