Culmination Of A Dream

By LYDIA COTTRELL, Warren Times Observer

Over the past 28 years, Sonia Probst's ambition to help others came to life at the Rouse Estate.

Her career, capped by the past eight years as the chief executive officer, has come to a close with retirement.

Betty Bauer, chairman of the Rouse Estate board of directors, said, "The board regrets Sonia's retirement for selfish reasons, but we are happy for her and support her decision."

Probst's tenure at the Rouse began in 1980 after studying social work in college. Prior to becoming apart of the Henry Rouse legacy, she discovered her fervor for her future work during an internship in Philadelphia.

"I said the only thing I didn't want to do was work at a nursing home," she admitted.

She took a position with a community development agency, where she was part of task force sent into nursing homes to check on conditions.

"Some were very nice and some were very deplorable," she said.

It was through her experiences in the nursing homes that she realized that the residents were "wonderful people who had lived fascinating lives. They'd all made their mark by raising families and fighting wars, but no one seemed to care," she said.

"I got to know the residents at these facilities and that's what hooked me," Probst said. "They each deserved respect and recognition, and I decided right then to work in a nursing home and see if I could make a difference."

When she took a part-time position as a social worker at the Rouse, the nursing facility was in the current Rouse Suites building. Over time, the Rouse Estates evolved and so did Probst's role.

From a part-time social worker to full-time social worker, to director of social services, she eventually went on to earn her master's degree.

"Doc Rice (former Warren County Commissioner Dr. David Rice) was really instrumental in that," she said. "He agreed that the Rouse would pay for my schooling if I agreed to work for three years. He loves to tell that story and laughs when he says, 'I think we got our money's worth.'"

From there, she was appointed assistant administrator and then administrator. After leaving briefly to be a counselor at Family Services, she was given the opportunity to serve as the CEO in September 2000.

Distinctly remembering the day the residents were moved into the current nursing facility in 1992, Probst recalled, "As each resident came through the front door, they were given a corsage and a hug as they were welcomed to their new home. One lady looked at the lobby of the newly constructed building with teary eyes and said, 'You built this for me?'"

The Rouse Children Center was opened in 1995 to serve the needs of area families. "That was just awesome," Probst said. "The kids really just embraced the residents." And in 1996, the Rouse Suites, an assisted living facility opened in the former Rouse Home. "It is such a beautiful place, and everyone seems so happy there," she said.

The most recent venture of the Rouse Estate which Probst had a hand in was the development of Senior Living Services, LLP, a collaborative effort with Warren General Hospital aimed at evaluating and developing strategies to share resources and maximize health-related services for the community.

"We think we can do this better together than separately," she said.

Through it all, Probst is hard pressed to take credit without mentioning her supportive staff.

"Any dream or vision I might generate...it only happens through the staff," she admitted.

Probst emphasized that she spent her career with an encouraging board of directors behind her, a talented leadership team, and a close-knit community embracing the Rouse Estate.

All the philanthropists, community volunteers and representatives of local industries "are so incredibly committed to community and incredibly generous." she said.

For Probst, it is all about the legacy of Henry Rouse, a self-made millionaire who on his death bed thought of the needs of the county and left money to fulfill those needs.

"He set the bar for philanthropy in Warren County," she said. "I hope Warren County remembers him."

"There's more to working at the Rouse than making a living," Probst said, adding that it is about "purpose, legacy and community."

"Everything I've done in my 28 years has been for the residents, for the employees, and for the community" she admitted.

As to the reason for her departure, she quoted Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes, "To every thing there is a season."

"I've enjoyed the Rouse immensely and I feel good about my contributions, but I think I am entering into the season of my family," she said.

Probst will pass the proverbial baton to Jeff Sedon, the Rouse's chief financial officer, who will serve as interim CEO until the board fills the position.