How ya’ doing’, Karen?

Harrison's friendly face opens the doors to her life

By Vadaisha Brown
STAFF WRITER

Photo by Anna Hintz, BASC Marketing Director

Photo by Vadaisha Brown, STAFF WRITER

Dressed in her Harrison attire — a hunter green shirt, black pants, sneakers and a big smile — Karen Haberger opened her mind and heart as she discussed past and recent experiences of her life.  Surrounded by students, swiping ID cards puts her at ease as she talked about anything and everything.

Haberger has been a Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation (BASC) employee for eight years.  She originally started working at TRAX in October 1999.

Most of the Brockport student population knows Haberger for her big smile and welcoming personality as she swipes their ID cards to enter Harrison Dinning Hall, where she has been an employee for three years.  With a smile and a welcoming voice some may hear her say “How ya doin’ buddy?” or “Enjoy your dinner.”

Haberger is the third youngest of 10 children. She was born and raised in Brockport and has five children and six grandchildren.

“I have never been outside of the United States, but I would like to go to Germany,” Haberger said.

Growing up, Haberger said she had a difficult childhood.

“It was very sad,” Haberger said.  “My mother died of cancer when I was four years old and my father served in war where he met and married my mother.”

Haberger’s mother did not speak English and her father was not much support for the family.  Discipline from the army followed him into his home.

“He ruled his house and kids like an army sergeant,” Haberger said.

Haberger tried to escape the strict lifestyle she was living at home by quitting school and getting married.  Haberger says she is very thankful for her family.

“My kids and grandkids comfort me,” Haberger said.

Many children consider going to Disney World to be one of the best times they’ve had during their childhood. However, Haberger considers hers to be when she was nine years old and in foster care.  She spent more than a year in a foster home.

“That was one of the best times of my childhood,” she said. “I spent a lot of time reading.”

Habergers’s dream is to open and maintain a domestic violence shelter.

“I am a survivor of all kinds of abuse,” Haberger said.  “I would like to break and straighten that vicious circle that impacts so many lives.”

At the age of 48, retiring is something Haberger said she hardly thinks of.  However, the domestic shelter is a part of her plan.  She said she wants to give back and help those who have been through all kinds of abuse.

Haberger calls herself a survivor and advises those who are being abused to do something about it.

“You must stop it,” Haberger said.  “It is hard, but you will never be complete until you do.   Life just started at 40 years old for me so I have had eight years of peace.  It is a crazy and complex thing but I came through it.”

During her free time, Haberger finds herself on the Internet and spending as much time as she can with her family.  The most unusual thing about her is that she hates to shop or spend money.

Haberger said she is very resourceful.

Excitement covered Haberger’s face at the thought of the new home she will soon be moving into.

“I just bought a house and I can’t wait,” Haberger said.  “I want to feed the students turkey dinner for those who can’t go home for Thanksgiving.”

 A typical weekday in Haberger’s life consists of working at Harrison.  Her day begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends around 7:30 p.m.

“I love my job,” Haberger said.  “It is not stressful and the best thing about working here is my buddies [the students].  All my buddies at Brockport bring comfort to me.”

“Karen is very welcoming to students,” said Drew Orellano, a junior at Brockport.  “When I see her, she always welcomes me with a smile.”

Bernadette Eichas, a freshman, said Haberger is very friendly.

“Karen is very dedicated to Brockport and its students,” Eichas said. “I think she really cares about us and she always makes me smile.”

Nellie Devlin, a new cashier at Harrison Dinning Hall, thinks of one thing when she sees Haberger: team player.

“Karen is very helpful and is accommodating to the students,” Devlin said.  “She took me right under her wing as she taught me.”

Haberger’s favorite television show is “Forensic Files” and her favorite channel is Court TV.

“My all-time favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz,” Haberger said.  “I also like love songs.  My favorite song is ‘Somebody Loves You’ by Crystal Gayle.”

Haberger is a small package filled with lots of love.

“There is no greater feeling in the world than love,” Haberger said. “You have to give it in order to get it.  I have it in both my home and at work. I am truly blessed.”

To talk more with Haberger, students can reach her via e-mail at kcarelots5@aol.com