Entries have been pouring in from all over the state and all different divisions! Here is a small selection of why Missouri DOC employees love the work they do.

"I love my job because I have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. I always remind myself that if I make an impact on just one justice-involved individual, I have made a difference in not only the individual's life but also their family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and the community. My co-workers are my family. We may not always get along, but we are always here for each other. We share each other’s struggles and successes. We are in a constant state of change, which helps me grow, keeps my job interesting and pushes me out of my comfort zone." Cybelle Webber, Warden, Ozark Correctional Center, DAI

"As the Title 1 teacher at FCC, I work exclusively with juveniles and students under 22. I love what I do because I feel like this is THE TIME in my students' educational journey that they have the BEST CHANCE to turn their educational experience around from negative to positive and start becoming successful learners. I have the privilege of helping them. The younger students can sometimes be quite challenging. But once a positive connection and rapport is established with each individual, it is amazing to see how quickly they start to invest in their personal learning process." Eric Phares, Title 1 Educator, Farmington Correctional Center, DORS

"What I love about what I do in my job is the positive change I have on the community and inside the work place." Cody Edwards, CO I, Maryville Treatment Center, DAI

"This is my dream job! I love meeting new people throughout the DOC and helping leaders build confidence in their leadership roles. I love working with my team members. We are great at giving and receiving feedback without damaging working relationships. I love working with a flexible manager who listens to what my team and I need to be successful in our role. I love, love, love working remotely, as it helps with work-life balance and I get a lot of work done. I have loved working for the DOC for 29 years. It has been a long journey of ups and downs and new challenges yearly. The experience has prepared me for the role I am in now, which I absolutely LOVE!" Shereda Smith, Eastern Region Supervisory Specialist, DHS

"There are so many things that make this the BEST job ever and I LOVE what I do each and every day! I’ve worked for the Department of Corrections for 15 years as a Corrections Officer I, Institutional Activity Coordinator, Corrections Case Manager, and now as a Probation and Parole Officer. The best part of this job is changing lives! There is no greater joy than watching a parent build back a broken relationship with their child/children, sharing in the joy of someone providing their first clean UA, watching them appear in court on a motion to be released from probation due to their program success, taking part in their graduation ceremony from treatment court, or watching them receive the results from the HSE test showing that they passed! Over the years, there have been too many moments to list, or narrow down, that make this job easy to love. So, the easiest way to answer the question is being a part of changing a life for the better and sharing in their joy and successes in life!" Jennifer Dooley, D2 Probation and Parole Officer, P&P

Participation: To enter this challenge, simply share what you love about what you do in an email to wellness@doc.mo.gov from now until September 16.  

Write as much or as little as you like, and feel free to include CAO-approved photos of good times at the worksite! Responses from participants will be shared throughout the challenge period, on a weekly basis. The goal of this occupational wellness challenge is to start positive conversations about why we love what we do!

Once the challenge period has ended, three winners will be randomly selected to receive an Occupational Wellness Bundle which includes a MoDOC Wellness T-shirt, and a set of Desert Waters pocket books on occupational wellness within Corrections.

Disclaimer: This employee wellness challenge is voluntary and free to participate in. Responses will be shared weekly with all staff. If you would like your response shared anonymously, please indicate so in your entry.