Trudeau Program Coordinator Cathy D'Andrea with family in photo collage

10 Trudeau Truths with Program Coordinator Cathy D’Andrea

Published/updated October 11, 2024

You know them as the educators, caregivers and leaders who work to keep everything running smoothly so that our clients at the Trudeau Memorial Center can have the best experience possible. But what are they like when they’re off the clock? 

Here’s a chance to get a more personal look at the people who make up the team at Trudeau… 10 questions at a time. 

Meet Cathy D’Andrea, Program Coordinator for Shared Living & Self-Directed Services at the Trudeau Center. A 34-year veteran of Trudeau, Cathy’s connection to the organization runs deep – her younger brother attended Trudeau in the 1970s until his passing. Those early experiences shaped Cathy’s path into human services.
Cathy finds great reward in helping individuals and families, cherishing the friendships formed over the years. She believes in the power of listening and observing, especially for non-verbal clients, to truly understand their needs and desires.
When not at work, Cathy tends to her “little farm” – a menagerie including 5 goats (with more on the way!), dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and more. She loves making traditional cabbage pierogis from an old family recipe, though admits they’re labor-intensive.
A nature enthusiast, Cathy dreams of a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, continuing to California to see the Giant Sequoia trees. Her adventurous spirit was cultivated during childhood summers spent on her grandparents’ farm in Alabama, where she helped with peanut and cotton fields, gathered bait worms, and even had a few close calls with rattlesnakes!
Through her decades of dedicated service, Cathy exemplifies Trudeau’s commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and fostering meaningful connections within the community.

Read on to learn more about Cathy in this edition of 10 Trudeau Truths!

10 Trudeau Truths with Cathy D’Andrea

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in human services?

I had a brother who was a year younger than me that attended Trudeau back the 1970’s until he passed away in 1982. I remember spending time at Trudeau with my brother during special events/occasions. I specifically remember making bird feeders with peanut butter and bird seed during a special arts and craft event and another event in which I guess is what we would now call Special Olympics but on a smaller scale. I recall one of my first days working at Trudeau I was using the recreation building and stumbled upon the large square trampoline and other equipment that was used during the event. It brought back memories.

2. What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Helping the individuals we support and their families. I am grateful for the friendships I have established with individuals and their families over the years.

3. Can you describe a memorable moment or success story from your time working at Trudeau?

There are far too many. Being part of introducing individuals to new experiences and helping individuals attain their goals and happiness is gratifying.

4. What’s something about people with differing abilities (or working with them) that you wish other people knew or better understood?

You can get to know a lot about the folks we support by listening and observing. Especially folks we support who are nonverbal and have no form of communication. I can recall going into work and not having the best day and my day would immediately change as soon as I walked into work and being greeted by folks I support would always put a smile on my face!

5. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Either putting around my little farm or camping/traveling with my husband and granddaughters.

6. Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show.

Favorite movies……. Elephant Man and My cousin Vinny

7. Do you have any pets?

I have 5 goats (soon to be more) we are awaiting some babies due in the beginning of October. A German Shepard and a miniature dachshund, 3 cats,2 fish,1 hamster, 11 hens,1 rooster and 2 ducks.

8. What’s your favorite food?

Pierogi’s. I don’t eat them often because I have to make them. They are cheap to make but a lot of work to make. You cannot find cabbage pierogis in a store (when you do, they taste nothing like they should!) A couple times a year I will make my old cabbage Pierogi recipe. :)

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

A road trip to visit Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding states and continue through to California and travel north along the coast of California to the Giant Sequoia Trees. (It is on my bucket list!)

10. What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I spent many Summers with my grandparents in Alabama growing up and worked on their farm and worked their peanut and cotton fields. I also helped with my grandparent’s bait farm. I have gathered a lot of worms in my day!!!! Also had a couple of close encounters with rattle snakes!

Photo Captions:
L: Cathy’s family including her daughters
C: Cathy with youngest daughter
R: Cathy’s girls