Like many people who enter the healthcare field, Sheryl Miller always felt a strong calling to work in service of others. As a long-time employee at Kaiser Permanente—first as a licensed practical nurse and currently as a technology and compliance coordinator for the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions—Sheryl is well-known among her coworkers for her commitment to caring for others at work and off the clock.
“My passion is helping homeless people, particularly seniors and students,” Sheryl says. Over a decade ago, she began volunteering in service of homeless people in Southwest Washington, providing meals, clothing, and personal items to some of the most vulnerable people in her community. She’s currently involved with two organizations that help people in need connect with hot meals and other resources in the community.
“Homelessness can happen to anyone, given a certain circumstance. It doesn’t discriminate by race or culture. I wanted to raise my son to see the value in caring for others. I wanted to raise him to be compassionate. This is my way of giving back.”
Sheryl uses her own resources to buy supplies for the homeless teens, families, and seniors she serves. When she’s out shopping, Sheryl typically stocks up on items she finds on sale—sleeping bags, toothpaste, hair brushes—to have at the ready.
“I live payday to payday, like many others,” says Sheryl. “But I feel it’s my place to help, and I will never stop. I won’t turn my back on humanity.”
You can help. Contact Ruth Brinkley, the president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest region, and tell her you strongly support Kaiser SEIU members who deserve a fair contract, and urge her to protect good union jobs in Oregon and Washington. You can call her at 503-813-3805 or email her at ruth.williams-brinkley@kp.org