Caregiver Profile: Ola Famutimi

Homecare worker, mother struggles to protect those she loves most

Ola Famutimi, who lives in Highland, Calif., has taken care of others her whole life. She worked as a licensed psychiatric technician, making around $25 per hour for years, until eight years ago when her daughter Felicity was born.

Complications in her pregnancy forced Ola to give birth to Felicity after carrying her for only 24 weeks. Felicity came with a host of health problems including epilepsy, severe asthma and sickle cell anemia, requiring 24-hour care. Ola had no choice but to quit her job at the psychiatric hospital to meet her daughter’s needs. A few years later, Ola gave birth to another child, Kristofer, who also had sickle cell anemia.

With Ola unable to go back to work, making ends meet was difficult for her and her husband. Before she joined the union, she was paid minimum wage for a fraction of the hours she spent caring for Felicity and Kristofer, with most, if not all of that money, going back to pay for medication for the children.

But four years ago Ola joined SEIU Healthcare. Since then her union has worked hard and won major victories at the bargaining table. Ola now earns $9.05 per hour, and has access to healthcare benefits, bringing some welcome relief to her life.

Ola’s life is still busy and difficult at times, but because she is able to give her children the care and attention they require, Felicity and Kristofer are able to lead “normal” lives. Whether they’re attending gymnastics class or cub scouts, Ola takes great pride in watching her children, despite their myriad of health challenges, lead happy and healthy lives.