Cassandra Houston, Program Director, Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, is pictured with Holy Angels resident Greg. (Photo provided by Holy Angels)BELMONT — Tanya Sadler started her mission at Holy Angels four decades ago.
“I just fell in love with these residents. I knew it was my calling,” says Sadler.
She loved her job and developed strong relationships with some of the residents, often called angels.
“Decades ago, one of the residents (Elise) asked ‘when are you going to have a baby?’ I said whenever I have my first baby I’m going to name her after you,” smiles Tanya. “My daughter’s name is Elise!”
Sadler has worked in multiple positions, including Health Care Technician and Campus Supervisor, but her passion is direct care with the residents.
“Tanya is a gift to Holy Angels. She always goes above and beyond and helps out wherever and whenever she is needed,” says Paula Atkins, Chief Program Officer.
65 years of joy
Holy Angels started 65 years ago when a desperate, overwhelmed mother came to the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont and asked them to take care of her 3-month-old daughter. Paralyzed with severe physical disabilities, medical professionals offered a grim prognosis that this child would not live long. Not only did that child survive, but she thrived for 54 years.
Maria Morrow is the reason Holy Angels exists today. Six decades years later, Holy Angels has grown into a 10-home residential facility offering 24/7 care for those with intellectual developmental disabilities and the medically fragile.
Holy Angels believes in the possibility that lies within each individual, regardless of physical and mental ability. The nonprofit operates four business providing meaningful employment opportunities for some its residents. The businesses include: Cherubs Café, Cotton Candy Factory and Bliss Gallery in Belmont and Spruced Goose Station in McAdenville.
Recruitment challenges
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Holy Angels decided to close its doors to all visitors, including hundreds of volunteers. That put an additional strain on the 350 employees who care for the 85 residents who live there.
“We don’t throw the word ‘heroes’ around lightly, but that perfectly describes our employees who continue to come to work daily to care for our angels,” says Holy Angels President/CEO Regina Moody. “Despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, our employees unselfishly continued to practice faith over fear and serve the residents.”
Much like the rest of the health care industry, recruitment is facing serious challenges.
“Between so many people leaving the workforce and fears over the pandemic, it’s created significant challenges trying to meet the needs of our residents,” says Vice
President of Human Resources Donnie Thurman. “We are in significant need of hiring nurses, direct support professionals and several other professional positions.”
Holy Angels is recruiting to hire qualified individuals for all shifts – including full-time, part-time or every other weekend.
Love for the angels
After working at Holy Angels for nine years, Sadler left to start a family. She returned 18 months later.
“The good Lord told me to go back to Holy Angels,” she explains.
Not only did she return, but she chose to work the third shift. Earlier this summer, she celebrated her 30th year working nights, when most everyone else is sleeping.
“It’s so natural now. It just comes easy,” Sadler says. “The atmosphere is quiet, but you still have residents who are up who have needs. You can do one-on-one with them. I have one resident who will grab me and hug me and say ‘I love you’.”
There are dozens of other employees at Holy Angels like Sadler. They made a career there spanning decades, all in the name of love for the residents.
“I treat this home as if it was my home. I treat the residents as if they were my children. I love what I do and when you love what you do it comes so naturally,” Sadler says. “It’s so rewarding when you see the residents reach their goals.”
— Shawn Flynn, Special to the Catholic News Herald
Holy Angels opportunities available
Holy Angels needs heroes who want not just a job, but a mission:
- Direct Support Professionals
- Nurses
- Medical Technicians
- Special Education Teacher
- Qualified Professional/IDD
- Campus Supervisor
- Community Group Home – live-in home manager, week on/week off
For a complete list of openings or to apply, go online to www.holyangelsnc.org/careers.
Support Holy Angels’ mission
The pandemic has taken its toll on Holy Angels’ fundraising opportunities. Donations can be made securely online at www.holyangelsnc.org/donate. Contact Matthew Falencki, vice president of development, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Holy Angels is located on the Sisters of Mercy campus: 6600 Wilkinson Blvd. Belmont, N.C. 28012 704-825-4161.
‘The good Lord told me to go back to Holy Angels. I love what I do!’
Tanya Sadler, Holy Angels employee
Vatonya Jones
Home Coordinator, Moody Place
Vatonya Jones just celebrated her 10th year at Holy Angels working in direct support with the residents. “To come in here and to see that each day they keep pushing and they go through it with a smile on their face, it brings me joy,” she says. “When I go home I thank God for giving me the chance to work with these angels.”
Erica Bleffer
RN Supervisor
Eric Bleffer started as a relief Direct Support Professional in 2005. Bleffer held a variety of part-time positions over the years at Holy Angels, including healthcare technician. She eventually started working here full-time in 2019 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She recently received her nursing license and is now an RN supervisor. “I could never leave Holy Angels because I would miss the residents too much. You develop this special bond with them and you want to be a part of their lives to see their growth and development,” she says.
Christy Shaw
Direct Support Professional, Belhaven
Christy Shaw also celebrated a decade serving the residents of Holy Angels earlier this year. “This is not a job, this is my calling. This is where I’m supposed to be,” she says.
“Every day is a mercy moment. Every day these guys are happy and healthy and they’re just so joyful. It’s a mercy moment every day.”