Marissa Holliman is a Direct Support Professional at Rainbows United. She has worked with kids with special needs for 17 years and she decided to work at Camp Woodchuck last summer. “I have worked with kids for 17 years,” said Marissa. “As soon as I graduated from Clearwater High School, I became a lead staff, and that is all I have ever done.”
Marissa has been working at Rainbows for two years. This is her second summer as a lead staff at Rainbows. She started working at Rainbows last year. “My biggest achievement that I have made here at Rainbows is building relationships with the kids in my classroom,” Marissa said. Marissa and the kids do lots of arts and crafts, spend some time outside going swinging and playing in the sand. “My favorite part of the job is seeing the kids in the morning when they come in,” said Marissa. “They are just so happy to be at Camp Woodchuck.”
“Marissa is an outstanding staff,” said Tiffany Graf, the Family Support Services Coordinator. “She does a great job with the kids; she also is a great leader. Marissa always has a positive attitude, and is willing to take on the day. I wish that she could be with us year-round.”
One of Marissa’s favorite memories of Rainbows is the shaving cream fight. “It is fun to see the kids just get to be kids,” said Marissa. “The messy parts of the shaving cream fights are what I am not a huge fan of!” Marissa enjoys doing puzzles, crochet, and spending a lot of time with her family. “I like to crochet a lot of blankets and hats,” said Marissa. She has an older brother in her family. “We are not very exciting people,” Marissa said. “We are about 3 years apart. I am about three years younger than my brother.” Marissa loves Rainbows. “If I could work at Rainbows all year round, that would be awesome!”
Written by Megan Bailey, Volunteer Writer
