For Sheila Walker, working in the human services field was not simply a career choice—rather, this line of work chose her. After serving in a few unfulfilling teaching roles, Sheila followed her instinct to work with children and accepted an opportunity to work in residential treatment. Later, in 2006, Sheila joined the DePaul team and now makes a difference in the lives of children and families every day as a foster care specialist in Danville.
“DePaul has a very good reputation among people in this area who work in the foster care system,” Sheila said, recalling how she first learned about DePaul. “The individuals here are truly concerned about the children, families, and adults they serve.”
Since joining the organization, Sheila has held numerous roles within the Foster Care program, including recruiter, home finder, trainer, and reunification worker. In each role, Sheila has built remarkable relationships with both children and families, a facet of her job that Sheila says she enjoys most. One such relationship involves a child from Sheila’s original caseload at DePaul—a young man and his loving, determined foster mother whom Sheila walked with through a particularly long and difficult adoption process.
“He’s now 16 years old and has a large family and friends who love, cherish, and protect him,” Sheila said. “I am very proud to have been apart of helping him find a forever family.”