From the DEI Co-Chairs

This month, Gemma held a Town Hall Meeting to review the DEI Framework and other DEI Assessments. Leadership presented the results of the DEI Workplace and Workforce Assessment Survey, Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks Survey, Qualitative Methods, and DEI Human Resources Policy and Practice Evaluation. If you were unable to attend the Town Hall, you can view it here. While Gemma has much to celebrate, there is still a lot of work to do.

With respect,


DEI Committee Members:
Amanda Bryant, Barbara Nielson, Bruce Achuff, Damallie Musisi, Elizabeth Eby, Heather Douglass, Jamie Fenstermaker, Leslie Archer, Lisa Hand, Melissa Harvey, Nafesa Edgerson, Rob Love, Sarah Kline, and Steven Rawls.
Lion’s Story Kick-Off

Hello Gemma,

If you missed the Keynote Address by Dr. Stevenson of Lion's Story on May 23rd, you can view it here. Gemma will start trainings at the supervisory level this fall with the Lion’s Story team. This work will continue until all of us have the opportunity to develop racial literacy skills that can benefit the youth and families we work with and also each of us. This video (link above) beautifully explains and illustrates the importance and transformative power of this work. I hope you are able to watch it. 

With respect,
Paycom Changes Coming Soon
Gemma is upgrading its PayCom payroll software. These changes do not affect independent contractors. Changes go into effect on July 18, 2022 for the August 5, 2022 paychecks. Some highlights include:

  • Hourly employees on the Plymouth Meeting campus will clock in on their cell phones using the PayCom app once inside the building where they work. Badges will only be needed for security and identification. There is no change to the process for hourly employees in Community Based Programs.
  • Employees will be responsible for putting in any missed punches themselves and verifying their own timesheets for accuracy before supervisors approve them.  
  • Employees will be able to see their upcoming pay before payroll is processed and check if something is missing such as PTO or training hours.

Specific training for employees and supervisors will be provided. Watch your email for the details.

Thank you!
Recognitions During the Month of June
Juneteenth - Sunday, June 19, 2022
Juneteenth honors those who suffered under slavery until June 19, 1895, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned of their freedom. In recognition of the historical and ongoing impact of racial equity, Gemma has added Juneteenth as a company holiday. Please see Visit Philadelphia’s guide for local celebrations that commemorate Juneteenth.
Pride Month
At Gemma, we are committed to being an organization that embraces and respects all members of our community and where everyone feels valued and supported, both this month and every day. In that spirit, we recognize and honor Pride, which commemorates the historical and ongoing pursuit of equal justice for LGBTQ+ people and honors their contributions to all aspects of society.
PTSD Awareness Month
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a month highlighting the wide and significant impacts of PTSD. Gemma is dedicated to providing trauma-informed care for those we serve.
2022 Chuck Springer Award
Chuck Springer served as a Silver Springs and Gemma Services employee in the Residential Treatment Program for 15 years. On May 19, 2020, Chuck tragically passed away suddenly. The Chuck Springer Recognition Award was created in remembrance of Chuck and honors a staff member who embodies the traits that he exhibited every day. The Award is presented annually to a Residential Treatment team member who is nominated by their peers.

Awardees are: Dedicated to the children we serve, dedicated to the mission of Gemma Services, believe in team and treat everyone with a kind heart, give more of oneself to ensure the children feel loved, exhibit patience and positivity in the most difficult of circumstances, and spread contagious joy and laughter.

This Year's Awardee: Carl Guest

Carl (left in photo above with Chuck Springer) has been a member of the Gemma Services team for 16 years in the Residential Treatment Program. Congratulations!

Congratulations, also, to all of this year’s nominees: Debbie Kubis, Bryant Johnson, Beth Patterson, Brenda Pone, Rosie Santana, and the Weekday Overnight Crew!
Congratulations to MLS 8th Grade Graduates!
Our Plymouth Meeting campus was abuzz with excitement this week when many family, friends, teachers, and staff gathered to honor the 21 students graduating from 8th grade. The celebration included a special performance by student musicians and speeches from three graduates. Echoing the remarks of one graduate to their fellow students: "Persevere through any conflicts that will arise and the sun will rise again.” We know their futures are so bright!
April Gemma Gem Award Winners
The Gemma Gem Awards recognize colleagues who go above and beyond. Congratulations to the May winners:

Bruce Achuff, Dining/Residential Treatment
Avery Basil, Family Based Mental Health Services
Kelly Buchanan, Foster Care/Outpatient
Sharon Doherty, Health Care
Kyra Donegan, Residential Treatment
Marquetta Macon, Intensive Behavioral Health Services
Janaeyah Reid, Adoption
Angela Ruley, Human Resources
Donna Wisely, Martin Luther School/Residential Treatment
Congratulations to These Honorable Mentions

Danielle Beldham, Martin Luther School
Amanda Bryant, Development
Lucy Corker, Human Resources
Malaika Henry, Residential Treatment
Lauretta Keeys, Family Empowerment Center
Maryellen Martin, Martin Luther School
Chantel Pugh, Intensive Behavioral Health Services
Paula Raila, Finance
Monique Robinson, Residential Treatment
Brenda Pone, Residential Treatment
Keith Starks-McElroy, Residential Treatment
Kareem Williams, Martin Luther School
Tiffany Young, Intensive Behavioral Health Services
Gemma Gem Award Nominations

Any Gemma Services employee or independent contractor can nominate any employee, contractor, volunteer, or intern. Please click here to submit a nomination! Please include specific examples of how your nominee went above and beyond their duties.

Gemma Gem recipients for May will be announced at the end of June and honored in the July issue of the Gemma Gram!
Chalkboard sign board with text welcome come in
Welcome to the Gemma Team!

Colleen Atwood, Development
Ashlee Fortune, Family Based Mental Health Services
Emma Herman, Finance
Sadia Miller, Residential Treatment
Chiffoni Puckett, Residential Treatment
Michelle Rollo, Residential Treatment
Brenda Smith, Martin Luther School
Nicolette Vogelman, Martin Luther School
Beatrice Wimbley, Martin Luther School

The above lists colleagues who joined Gemma in May 2022.
The Gemma Gram is the internal newsletter of Gemma Services and is published and distributed monthly. Please submit program highlights, pictures, or suggestions for topics to info@gemmaservices.org!
Gemma Services was formed by the merger of Silver Springs-Martin Luther School and theVillage. Gemma is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The organization’s corporate name is Silver Springs - Martin Luther School and tax ID# is 23-2310084.