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October 3, 2024

Meet Savannah Schindelar, Admissions Coordinator

Hired in fall 2023, Savannah Schindelar began her career at Hopewell as a new member of the admissions team. She joined Tim Bitting (National Outreach Manager), Rachel MacDonald (Regional Outreach Manager), Daniel Horne (Clinical Director), Sarah Turner (Clinical Services Coordinator), and Acting Executive Director Colleen Welder.

The admissions team fields all incoming inquiries from families, prospective residents, and professional referrals. Tim and Rachel build relationships with mental health facilities, other mental health programs and counseling practices and handle most of the professional referrals. Savannah is often the first stop to help families and prospective residents determine whether they are a good fit to begin the application process.

Many families contact Hopewell when they are stressed and confused about next steps for their loved ones’ mental health journey. Savannah said, “Callers need some validation and reassurance and to feel like they have been heard. I can’t give clinical advice, but empathy is a huge part of initial relationship building.”

What motivates you to work with people with mental illness?

“Working at Hopewell provides the opportunity to do a little good in the world. I don’t believe that ultimate good can be achieved in one fell swoop – it takes a lot of tiny efforts,” Savannah observed. “I can help by suiting up and showing up for those with mental illness.”

Savannah’s Journey Begins

Savannah’s background in behavioral health began in 2019 when she was employed at Glenbeigh Hospital in Rock Creek, Ohio, an inpatient facility that treats adults with substance use disorder. “At Glenbeigh, I learned the boundaries of empathy and professionalism, keeping composure when clients are experiencing difficulties. When working with people in crisis, you need to navigate many strong emotions. That is much easier now,” she said.

A Chicago Detour

Life brought Savannah to Chicago in 2021. She found an Administrative Assistant and Intake Specialist position at Primary Care Psychology Associates (PCPA), which provides short-term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults and children. She did intake and billing, fielded inquiries, coordinated with the clinicians and ran the front of the ship.

Savannah also held a second job as a bouncer. “Security work made me more aware of potentially volatile situations and how to handle them, and I became more attentive to my surroundings. These experiences translated into my current role in behavioral health. I am more able to handle crises with a level of tact and poise,” she stated.

The most important thing Savannah found in Chicago was her partner, Louis, who hails from the North Island of New Zealand. She has since visited him in his home country for a month of travel and Louis has joined her in Ohio to meet her family. A spring trip to New Zealand is planned.

Back to Ohio and a New Start at Hopewell

Savannah returned to Ohio in 2023 and landed the brand-new position of Admissions Assistant at Hopewell and has since been upgraded to the Admissions Coordinator title. Interestingly, she is completely self-taught. “My experience, job opportunities, and teams I have worked with molded me to the professional I am,” she said. One of her dreams is to pursue professional development opportunities in hopes of becoming a licensed clinical psychologist with her own clients.

Because Hopewell is a working farm, Savannah has had opportunities to bring other life skills to work. While growing up on her family’s farm, she worked with lots of animals – goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and horses – and participated in 4H. “This past summer I helped staff wrangle a newborn calf off the field who had not eaten because her mom rejected her. I helped set up a feeding regimen and the calf made a full recovery.”

What does working at Hopewell mean to you?

Savannah related a poignant story about what working at Hopewell means to her. “A resident came to us from another facility where he had lived for several years. He looked beaten down. I did his intake, and I saw even upon admission how relieved he was to be joining a community. It’s immensely gratifying and fantastic to watch the progress he has made on his journey while at Hopewell. That impresses me a lot. We do something right here.”

She continued, “I am proud to be one small part in a greater machine that helps people get better. It takes a village, and I am happy to be part of this village.”