For Joyce Scott, serving as an administrative coordinator at LifeView Group—parent company of Lakeview Center, FamiliesFirst Network and Global Connections to Employments—is more than a job, it’s a calling. Stationed at the front desk of LifeView Group’s administrative building in Pensacola, she is the first welcoming face many clients see and the first reassuring voice they hear on the phone.
Joyce describes her role simply but meaningfully: “My role is to greet everyone that comes in the front door, help our customers, clients, direct them and answer the telephone. I don’t call it a job. Helping people is very rewarding.”
Joyce joined the LifeView Group team in 2015 after a 24-year career in retail. She was drawn by the stability of full-time work, but even more by the mission of the organization. “I used to hear my daughter-in-law talk about what our company did—foster care, helping people with drug addictions, mental health—and I thought, that sounds good. I want to be part of that.”
After eight years in Employment Services, Joyce’s path eventually led to the front desk, where she thrives in a fast-paced environment. The position is a challenging one, but when the opportunity arose, she stepped up. That courage and willingness to adapt became a turning point.
Since then, Joyce has taken ownership of the role, not just answering phones and greeting visitors but also supporting other departments and learning new systems to better serve clients.
Joyce even took the initiative to visit different areas of the organization so she can confidently direct people to the right place. “I learn new things every day,” she says. “But to be able to help people get help—that’s very rewarding.”
The front desk has also placed her in the middle of delicate situations, including moments when people experiencing a mental health crisis have walked through the door. Joyce recalls one experience: “A gentleman came in one day and said he was having negative thoughts. I said, ‘okay, have a seat, let me get somebody to come out and talk to you.’ You have to stay calm and make sure they’re taken care of.” These experiences have deepened her compassion and shown the importance of teamwork.
Joyce’s response to this situation left a lasting impression on her colleague, Laura Swanson, who stated, “Joyce demonstrated remarkable composure and empathy. Her swift and compassionate response exemplifies the core values, vision and mission of our team.”
Over the years, Joyce has grown in both technical and interpersonal skills. “I’ve learned more computer systems, but I’ve also learned to be more passionate because people are going through things. Here, you see it more. You learn to stop and say, give me a few minutes, let me find out. And that makes a difference.”
Looking ahead, Joyce plans to continue in her role until her retirement. Until then, she remains committed to serving others with the same dedication she’s shown from the beginning. “I want to do my position as best as I can, learn more and be able to help our clients and team members get the help they need.”
To work with compassionate team members like Joyce, visit our Careers site.