Amanda Pickens is a positive, kind-hearted soul within the Michigan City area. She is able to make her impact through working as the Assistant Deputy Clerk in Michigan City.
“I worked at a middle school in an attendance and supervisory position and I liked the office work, but I wanted to be able to have a role in the community and actually have a part in it,” Pickens said. “I applied for this job, and I got it. Being here opened the door to meet a lot of new people, and I feel like I have a part in the community now.”
Pickens highly values being active in the community, and she is able to do so through her career. She helps people to the best of her ability throughout the day and makes sure to spread as much kindness and positivity as she can to the people she meets.
“I meet a lot of nice people, and it's nice to be able to give that smile. If somebody's having a bad day, I like to spread kindness as much as I can,” Pickens said. “I like to take the extra few minutes to share a little smile or treat them with respect. If I can just help one person, that is what it's all about.”
A small act of kindness and positivity can change the trajectory of someone’s day, and Pickens knows this. She makes a point to treat everyone she sees with care and respect.
“Everybody needs to be treated with kindness. You never know what somebody else is going through. My belief is that people need to feel like they're heard and accepted and that people do care. That's where I come in,” Pickens said. “I want to make sure that everybody has that ear to listen. However, I can help them by making sure that citizens know that I am here, and whatever I can do to help, I will.”
Outside of work, Pickens spends her time with her three children. She has a 16-year-old, a 13-year-old, and an 11-year-old. Two of her children are in competitive sports that take up a lot of their time.
In the free time Pickens does have, she spends it writing, going to the gym, and singing with the praise and worship team at her church.
Pickens has been on a health journey this year and emphasized the importance of never giving up. At work, she strives to spread this message to everyone she can, especially city youth.
“If I had a saying, it's to never give up no matter what, because the bigger the battle, the better the breakthrough that's coming, the better the blessing,” Pickens said. “You just can't give up when it's hard. You gotta keep pressing through.”
Spreading kindness and reminding those around her to never give up are a part of Pickens’ everyday routine. Small things can make a big impact.
“Life can be tough; life can throw some punches. The struggle is real, but I can promise you if you keep pressing through no matter how hard it is, the blessing is right on the other side,” Pickens said.