Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Hoke.
Kelsey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Cedartown, Georgia, by my mother and father. My parents instilled, at an early age, in my brother and me to value education and to go after every goal and dream we set for ourselves! My mother worked as an Educator and my father worked in Quality Control. While growing up, my parents made sure my brother and I were involved in the community serving in our church, youth programs, and school. I believe through the experience and exposure of serving. I gained a passion for helping others.
I attended Albany State University and received a Bachelor of Art in Psychology, I set out to work in the Mental Health field with children and went on to receive a Master of Science in Psychology however during my practicum I decided I wanted to take a different route but still be able to work with children. As I began my journey on a new career path, I was offered a job to work at a small school and therapy clinic that primarily worked with children with Autism. This was only the beginning to the path that God was leading me on and Hoke Specialty Service Center would be birthed.
Has it been a smooth road?
My motto anything worth having is worth fighting for. It has most definitely not been an easy road to where I am now-BUT GOD!! I am a mother to two beautiful girls, ages 11 and 8. Being a full-time mother – It DEFINITELY takes a village-going through grad school, starting with a three-month-old and still pressing through and moving on to being nine months pregnant with my second daughter to having to withdraw from my class and go right back after Christmas with a newborn and 2 1/2-year-old daughter was very challenging. However, I was determined to keep pressing through because I knew the overall goals and dreams I set for myself. My daughters have been and will always be my greatest inspirations! It can also become very draining on different levels when you don’t reach the goals you set for yourself in the time frame established, or being told no for a position that you had your heart set on, and unexpected changes in your personal life that affects your family dynamics.
Also, it was a struggle when having to choose between being there for my daughters and working 40+ hours a week for someone else. I wanted to be actively involved in my daughter’s school and extracurricular activities as well as taking family trips but when I worked 40+ hours a week I knew this was not the life I wanted for my girls and I. I begin to pray and stay in faith that things would change and boy did they change!! As opportunities began to come my way, it allowed the door to open for my schedule to be flexible and become more available to my daughters! At times it seemed I would be one step closer to my goals but as I began to build my business, then came the highs and lows of being a business owner that no one tells you about but only comes from experience and life lessons!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hoke Specialty Service Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hoke Specialty Service Center is a company that is here to enrich the lives of exceptional people! I work one on one with the exceptional child. One may ask, “Who is considered the exceptional child?”. The exceptional child is one who may need extra help and/or push in different areas. The areas I focus on are behavioral, social, and emotional development. I work in the family’s home, school, or daycare center.
I work through 12 stages of social, emotional, and behavioral skills that are imperative to the child’s development. I believe in working with my children in their natural environment through play, all while being a family affair! I work with my children on the floor, table, or outside, all while being creative and having fun. My children look forward to what our session will look like, possibly, a puppet show, shaving cream art, or acting out a favorite book or television show. The ultimate goal is to modify behavior, social, and emotional development-learning while having fun!
I am known for creating a learning environment that specifically targets goals and objectives that the parents and I have created for my exceptional children. Interprofessional collaboration with the children I work with are fundamental in seeing the child’s progress forward. It is vital for me to work alongside with my families Speech, Physical, Behavioral Analyst and Occupational therapists as well as the child’s school in an effort to assist the child in reaching his/her full potential. Overall, the reward is being able to help my families see the light at the end of the tunnel, which at times can seem so far away!
I am most proud of my company because we are able to give hope to parents through implementing techniques and interventions created in a collaborative effort. I am beyond thankful that during these unprecedented times, I have been able to continue to provide my services to my families safely. During the unforeseen closures of the schools back in March and some schools now returning virtually, I have been able to accommodate my families during these difficult times.
Hoke Specialty Service Center also provides a mentorship program for all ages! Dr. Juanita V. Hoke provides a 1:1 “get and give” partnership through a collaborative effort that enhances the mind, will, and emotions to build a foundation for strength and wholeness. I can’t express how important having a mentor has been for me as a business owner.
What sets Hoke Specialty Service Center apart from others is that I am beyond committed to my children, which shows through the longevity I have with the families I work with. I am very accessible and flexible, which is needed now more than ever. Hoke Specialty Service Center has established a rapport within the community and among local school districts to meet the needs of the exceptional child!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The best things I like about the city are the people I have met and relationships that have been established within the community, such as my church, daughter’s school, and local organizations. I definitely cannot forget to mention the amazing trails I love to hike and venture out on to bike ride. Least favorite thing about Atlanta I THINK we can all agree with is TRAFFIC!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hokespecialtyservices.com
- Phone: 470-344-9435
- Email: hokessc@gmail.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/HokeSpecialtyServiceCenter
Image Credit:
Ari Thompson and Juanita V Hoke
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