St. Coletta’s Worker ‘Like A Father’ At Tinley Group Home: Local Hero

TINLEY PARK, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Charla Brautigam who nominated Paquito Yu of Tinley Park. Brautigam works alongside Yu at St. Coletta's of Illinois.

Local hero’s full name

Paquito Yu

Local hero’s home state

Illinois

Local hero’s Patch

Tinley Park

How do you know the local hero?

Co-worker

What does the local hero do?

Paquito works in a group home for St. Coletta's of Illinois, caring for six individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He cooks for them; oversees their daily chores (such as laundry, cleaning and dusting); and makes sure they live life as independently as possible. He enjoys taking them to church, restaurants and the park to feed the ducks. " I want them to experience what others experience," he said. "I want them to be happy."

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

Paquito has worked with some of the same individuals for more than 30 years. He's like a father to them, making sure they are well cared for and living life as independently as possible.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

Working with individuals with developmental disabilities is more than just a job for Paquito. It's a mission.

Thank you for all you do, Paquito Yu!

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Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a local hero here.