Cassandra Apodaca gained a higher level of appreciation for freedom through her job of helping veterans.
She has served veterans about 12 years beginning in her hometown of Houston at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
"I enjoy working with the veterans because they are the ones that gave a lot up and I have a lot of respect for veterans," Apodaca said.
Apodaca started as a recreation therapist in 1997. She said she always enjoys meeting people and looked for a career where she could be of service.
After 10 years in the field she decided she wanted a career change, which led her to North Augusta.
Apodaca went back to school to get a masters degree in public administration.
In January she began work for the Augusta downtown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a voluntary service specialist.
"I heard nothing but good news about this place," she said.
Working in the volunteer department allows her to serve the veterans in a different way.
"I'm not doing therapy hands-on, but I'm still helping the veterans in a different aspect," she said.
The job now involves securing funds to help out with veterans' needs. She handles donations and placing volunteers throughout the hospital.
"The hospital couldn't function without volunteers," she said.
The summer student volunteer program is her "baby," Apodaca said. She has 120 student-volunteers ages 14-18, with five from North Augusta.
"This is a way for the kids to give back," she said. "Not only that, they also are getting a real life learning experience working in the different departments."
The job has also taught her new skills, like ceramics.
As a recreational therapist she taught ceramics to Vietnam veterans with post traumatic stress disorder.
"I fell in love with it," she said. "It was just so calming."
She also enjoys reading, fishing and bowling.
Apodaca and her husband, Adam, are expecting a daughter, Gabrielle, on July 13. She has five children: Kelly, 15; twins Adam and Erin, 13; Christian, 6; and Armando, 5.
The school system in North Augusta is part of the reason why she decided to settle across the river. She also enjoys the landscape and clean streets.
"North Augusta is a beautiful town," she said. "We call it a quaint little town. I think I made a perfect choice."
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
