The Do’s & Don’ts of Managing Public Outings

Charlie’s Place Respite & Activity Center Staff: Dedrick Welch (Coordinator/Baton Rouge), Marcia Kirk (Assistant/BR), and Sonjie LeBlanc (Coordinator/Gonzales)

Dedrick’s passion for working with individuals with dementia began in 2015 as a service learning student at Charlie’s Place. He accepted the position as Respite Coordinator for Charlie’s Place – Baton Rouge in December 2016. Outside of work, he is a husband and a father to 2 sons. His interests involve all things sports and Saints football. Dedrick is dedicated to providing interactive activities daily at Charlie’s Place, while making sure everyone is having fun.

Marcia Kirk is the Respite Center Assistant for Charlie’s Place. Prior to joining the staff of Alzheimer’s Services in August 2010, Marcia had worked with deaf/special need students for 40 years. Marcia was drawn to Charlie’s Place after her retirement from teaching because of her experience helping to care for her father during his journey with dementia. Marcia is also certified as a Qualified Dementia Care Provider.

Sonjie LeBlanc is beyond thrilled to come on board with Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area as the Respite Care Coordinator for Charlie’s Place in Gonzales. She was born and raised in Gonzales and graduated from St. Amant High School in 1986. She worked in the school system for 13 years – first as a reading interventionist, trained specifically with reading disabilities and dyslexia, and then with special needs and autism. Sonjie was a board member for M.A.R.K. (Meaningful Autistic Resources for Kids) and volunteered there for four years. She became involved with Alzheimer’s through volunteering in an assisted living facility’s memory care unit in 2005. Sonjie enjoyed volunteering with memory care so much that she consequently went to work as an activity coordinator in a memory care unit. She has also been a trained florist for 30 years.

Sonjie has one daughter who is currently attending LSU (YAY! Go Tigers!). She loves animals (especially dogs), being outdoors in nature, flowers, and gardening, trying new restaurants, and never passing up an opportunity to see the sights and learn the history of places that are not so well known.

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Contact Ellen at programs@alzbr.org or 225-334-7494 for further assistance.