Award-Winner Albrey: Giving Back to Society Is an Honor
Albrey Williams recounted the stages in her life – one step after another – that had led to her job at Home Instead® of Midland-Odessa, Texas, in May 2025 and her subsequent honor three months later as the Home Instead franchise’s Care Professional of the Month in August.
“I grew up in California. We lived near my maternal grandparents in the city of San Andreas, east of Stockton, and my great-grandmother lived there. My grandparents turned one of their rooms into a bedroom for her. I treasured the time I was around her as I saw how they cared for her, a care that was modeled for me. My aunt had cancer, and she also stayed there,” Albrey said.
Albrey was 7 when she and her family moved to Texas. “I grew up spending much time with my paternal grandmother in Texas and was offered the chance to be hired at age 15 to help her. My grandmother had cancer. I cleaned her home and helped her bathe, among other things,” Albrey said. “I grew up in a great, amazing family.”
Albrey’s professional caregiving experience started with a childcare job. “I formerly worked at a children’s learning center. I am a mother of four, and I’ve always been around kids. I’ve enjoyed being a mom and caring for other kids. The caregiving – whether it has been for young or old – always has been in my heart,” Albrey explained.
Eventually, Albrey took on a private-duty senior-care responsibility and then worked at a senior-care agency before she found Home Instead, co-owned by Lorena and William Shensky. “I was prompted by a calling in my heart to look around at other companies. When I called Home Instead, I talked to Imelda Hawkins and asked her all kinds of questions. I tried to figure out which company to try,” recalled Albrey, who lives in a small town about an hour’s drive from Midland.
Because of the driving distance and her family responsibilities, Albrey needed a specific work schedule, and Home Instead accommodated her. “The longest shift I can do is five hours. Home Instead provides flexibility with my hours. Home Instead is so amazing – they have made me feel quite welcome. They are so sweet, so kind. There is good communication with the office. The staff is so very helpful. I can call when anything comes up or if I have a question. They are so polite,” Albrey pointed out.
She sees a brighter future because of Home Instead’s encouragement. Albrey said: “Home Instead gave me a vision of becoming a CNA. I hope I can get there soon. That could be one of the reasons the Lord sent me to Home Instead. I have received so much information and training. The Lord Jesus opened the door of opportunity when he sent me to Home Instead. They are a blessing. They have gone above and beyond my expectations with the training.”
The Home Instead staff – including Engagement and Training Coordinator Rozephyr Jean – immediately saw that Albrey was a perfect fit. She has assisted nine clients since joining Home Instead and is now working with three regular clients. Albrey takes fill-in clients if possible.
“When I consider my clients, I feel that part of my job is also such a blessing. We are supposed to keep professional relationships with the clients, but once I’ve broken the ice with a client and have gotten to know them, it is hard not to keep them in my heart. They feel like family. I just connect with them. When I am with them, I want to share the heart and mercy of Jesus,” Albrey said. “Giving back to society is an honor for me. If I can put a smile on a senior’s face or get them to laugh, I feel good about my day.”
On one occasion, Albrey was pleasantly surprised with the reaction of a client who has late-stage dementia. “I’ll never forget the moment. She got emotional and cried. Then I played music, and that changed her emotions. She was delighted and smiled, and she still does whenever the music plays. It is Whitney Houston music, which helps her relax. The office tipped me off to it. It takes her back to her younger days,” Albrey explained. “I’ve heard some stirring stories, including from a Vietnam veteran. Another client is 91, so she has lived a long time and has many interesting stories. I like to learn about their lives.”
She added: “I hope I’m with Home Instead a long time, as long as Jesus keeps me on this Earth.”
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (432) 689-4663 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
