Leslie Keesler is an eternal optimist who “loves her job” and is a dedicated member of Allegany County local 2574. Leslie’s positivity helps sustain her in a position that inevitably comes with tough days. As a Senior Social Welfare Examiner, Leslie primarily helps families navigate the complicated Medicaid and Medicare long term care processes. She often helps families secure coverage for their loved one’s nursing care and, with a growing elderly population, the need for Leslie’s work is heightened.

Leslie likes that “every day on the job is different” and no day is ever “stagnant.” She enjoys helping elderly community members be able to stay in their homes with their spouses instead of entering long term care and doing so in ways that don’t bankrupt spouses. The impact of her work is deeply felt by the Allegany County individuals and the families that she supports.

The most difficult part of her job is repeatedly facing loss. She works tirelessly to help families navigate the complex Medicaid system, but sometimes their loved ones pass away right after she’s secured benefits for the client “You’ve dealt with their family members extensively and been so involved with their lives and now their family members no longer contact you and you know they are grieving.” Between those challenging moments, she also works with clients in short term rehabilitation facilities who get to go home to their families, and she is grateful for those moments. “You get to see all ends of the spectrum.”

Leslie’s own experiences with elderly parents remind her to be patient and kind as she works with stressed-out families in difficult situations. Leslie’s been talking to her own mother about the same health care systems she deals with at work, and she realizes that “the material is confusing.” “How is someone at age 85 supposed to deal with all of this? Medicare is such a complicated system. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, not having an email address it’s a lot for people.” She remembers her own father didn’t like it when he was forced to get his paycheck direct deposited. Leslie’s “understands what people are going through” and is grateful she gets to help make complicated processes easier for community members.

Leslie thinks about her father often and the permanent imprint his example made on who she became. Leslie’s father Dave was a 45-year member of the Teamsters. She remembers learning early in life “to never cross a picket line!”  “I always knew my dad was union.” Leslie “believes in a level playing field” thanks in part to her dad.

Leslie’s employment with Allegany County started in August 2021. She joined the union her first week of work just like her dad taught her. “It’s what you do.” It was the first time in a decades long career that she would have the opportunity to become a union member.

At first, Leslie didn’t want to go to a union meeting because she “didn’t want to know any bad stuff.” After some time, she decided to go to a meeting and listen to members talk about issues and realized it was helpful for members to express ways to improve their organization.

She heard President Becky Scott excitedly talk about engaging new members and Leslie realized there was an opportunity for her to use her “bright” and “cheery” nature in union work. Leslie says that “Becky is a phenomenal leader and motivator who got me excited to want to do more.” She says that Becky’s passion for the union is contagious and “makes other people want to care about the union too!”

After that meeting, Leslie became an alternate steward and “welcome wagon.”  Every time there is a new hire Leslie receives their name and meets with the new employee. She meets new employees wherever they are in places that are convenient for them. She wants to make sure new employees “feel welcomed” and to share with them what the union does. She says that “people are very receptive” and after meeting Leslie “many more join than don’t.”

Leslie has “always been a positive person who tries to see the best in every situation and in every person.” Every day at work she thinks about what clients and families are going through and tries to be “extra kind” and “helpful”. She even sends smiley faces and positive messages to families to make their days a bit brighter.

As New York’s population is aging rapidly, with the number of older adults growing faster than any other group in the state, Allegany County is lucky to have people like Leslie helping our most vulnerable community members with a spirit of compassion, dedication and unshakeable positivity.