Meet the Child Care Council Staff

Introducing Beth G.

Belinda @ Kids Matter

It’s my honor to introduce Beth, a 16 1/2 year veteran of the CCC. She is an Eligibility Specialist serving the counties of Woodford, Anderson, and Washington. Beth started her career teaching kindergarten. She then owned her own childcare center, where she met her husband and worked as director in a couple more centers. She also taught at the college level and says after that experience, “… give me little kids anytime!!” After a while, she decided that she needed a change. She still wanted to work with children and families, but in a different capacity. Along came the position with the CCC and the rest, as they say, is history.  Beth said, “What I love most about my job is the satisfaction that I get from helping families attain a better quality of life. It makes me feel good to be able to remove some of the barriers that our clients meet.” Ultimately, Beth said, “… the greatest job is the one that gives you a feeling of satisfaction; one that you look forward to every day, and offers you an opportunity to help others. One that makes you feel that you are making a difference in people’s lives. I can honestly say, I truly enjoy my job. And, although there are a few days that I would rather be on a beach somewhere, I like coming to work and feeling such a sense of accomplishment.”

When asked about her home life, Beth beamed with pride as she replied, “As of this September, I will be have been married to my husband, Gary, for 33 years. We have three children, all BOYS. Jason, 34, who served in the Army National Guard and was in Iraq for one year, is married to April. They are parents to our first grandchild, Wade, who is almost three years old, and our pride and joy! They are also expecting a baby girl, Sybil, around the middle of November. Brian is 31 and he and his wife, Sheneda, are expecting a little boy, Harrison, around the first of November. Aaron is 23 and busy working and interviewing for positions with area police departments. We are also the proud parents of a 12 year old Schnauzer, Zelda, who is the sweetest dog ever.” She said her greatest achievement thus far is, “My family, no question about it. My husband and I have raised three wonderful young men who are not only kind, but also thoughtful, and caring, and a lot of fun to be around.   As we watch our sons go out into the world as productive members of society forming relationships, becoming husbands, becoming fathers. We can be nothing but proud of the amazing individuals they have become. And, as our little family continues to grow with each addition that comes to us, we are truly blessed.”

Beth is a born and raised Kentuckian. Her father was employed with the University of KY Agriculture Department as a County Agent. Beth, her sister, father, and mother lived in Inez for a few years.  They moved to Prestonsburg, and from there to Ashland where they lived until 1980 when her dad was transferred to the big city of Lexington. It was the biggest place they had ever lived. She was terrified of all the traffic and roads going in all different directions. It took her quite a few years to get used to the hustle and bustle, but Lexington became home. Both of her parents are gone now, but they still like to visit their roots back home, from time to time. Beth says she is who she is because of two things in particular, “Number one, my parents and the morals and beliefs they instilled in me. My parents always supported me in everything. They gave me the opportunity to make my own choices and were always there with advice and support. I knew that I could always depend on them for anything. Number two, my life experiences and those who have shared them with me, whether the experience was good or bad, they played an important part in my becoming the person that I am today.”

Beth told me about one of her most favorite vacations. It’s such a tribute to friendship that I just have to share. She said, “One of my favorite vacations has to be the trip that we took to Oahu, Hawaii, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The thing that made this trip so very special was that our best friends, Doug and Rosemary, went with us as they were also celebrating their 25th anniversary. (Not sure how many people know this but Rosemary, from the billing department, has been my dearest, best friend for 32 years.) We spent a whole week just cruising the island in a Mustang convertible, taking in the beautiful scenery, trying some interesting foods, and returning to our little beach house to enjoy the hot tubs and a few cool and fruity beverages. There is nothing better in the world than having lifelong friends to share the good times and the bad, and believe me; we have shared lots of both!”