Staff Newsletter (January)

This Mission Moment is brought to you by Housing

Making spirits bright: This Christmas, the Eagle Ridge Homeowner's Association continued to supply the entire Sisters Haven community with Christmas Cheer. The HOA raised funds and purchased baskets and gifts for each child and their families! Julie Brown, Assistant Property Manager coordinated the event.

Click below to watch the video!

Send your Mission Moments to Communications with the subject line: Mission Moment for submission in an upcoming newsletter.

This month's WOW recipient is Lynn Marquez, Program Coordinator, Integrated Case Management

Lynn had two nominations! Her nominators stated:

"Lynn demonstrates her dedication daily to all the folks Catholic Charities serves, additionally Lynn has always been there for the employees. Lynn is the glue that holds the entire Integrated Case Management team together. Lynn leads by example and has personally changed my perspective on what really matters in life!! We would be lost without her!!!"

"In the last 15 years, I have worked a variety of jobs in different industries. All these positions have carried with them their own responsibilities and challenges. Being a Case Manager responsible for over 50 people housed within our buildings during a global pandemic has definitely been the most mentally and emotionally challenging work I have ever done. However, throughout all the adversity our department has experienced as a whole, the one thing we have all come to depend upon is the absolute and unequivocal support of Lynn Marquez."

Would you like to recognize a Catholic Charities staff member for going above and beyond? Complete a WOW Nomination Form and if chosen, the staff member will receive a $25 gift card and will be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Ever come in and wonder where your coworkers are? Don't miss a day off with the list of 2021 staff holidays!
FSC held a Christmas Card drive for House of Charity patrons and senior residents in our properties. We collected over 2,000 cards! Wow! Check out this story on KXLY.
In case you missed it in the Mission Moment, watch this video as Sisters Haven staff delivers Christmas presents and cheer to residents.
Looking for more information on technology articles? Look no further, click here to visit our new Technology Training site! Have an idea for an article? Email Eileen Dempsey.
Have you set up your online health benefits? Click here to learn more.
Has your program received in-kind donations? Make sure to track them. More information can be found here!
Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program has updated! Read more about it or get in touch with HR if you have additional questions.
We want to hear your stories! At Catholic Charities we thrive on helping others and the culture of storytelling. We want to be able to share those stories with our community. But we need your help to do that! Let Communications know if you have a client that wants to share or if you have a story to discuss.
What do YOU think should be in the Chat? Are there things about Catholic Charities you want to learn? We love your ideas and feedback so tell us what you think!

Interested in learning more about the organization? View our newsletters that are sent to the public.

Ever come in and wonder where your coworkers are? Don't miss a day off with the list of 2021 staff holidays!
Check out all the great staff resources for volunteers, communications, donations, and Human Resources on the CC Employees Page. Please be sure to use your Catholic Charities email address when signing up for the first time!
Do you need materials about Catholic Charities or your specific Program? Find it under the Program Promotional Materials page on the CC Employees Page!
Photo releases now come in two forms: one for individuals and families and one for large groups. The group photo release should make it easier to get permissions for large events.
Do you know when to encrypt your emails? Check out this helpful guide to learn!
Check out this flyer on the Employee Assistance Program.
We have brand guidelines! View them here.
If someone in your office is not receiving The Chat, let us know!

2021.

Finally. It’s here! The New Year is always a time for a fresh starts and resolutions.

2021 won’t immediately change our “new normal” caused by COVID-19, but there is hope on the horizon. Vaccines are beginning to be administered to our most vulnerable neighbors. A new relief package has been approved and unemployment benefits and stimulus checks will be sent to those in need. I have hope that next holiday season, we will be able to rejoice and join our families safely, wherever they may be.

2021 will be a great year at Catholic Charities. Gonzaga Family Haven will welcome new families just in time for the new school year. We will break ground on Mother Teresa Haven and Pasco Haven for families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. We will be prayerfully hopeful and at the ready to help if immigration reform becomes a reality. No matter what 2021 brings, we will continue to serve people in need wherever they may be.

Thank you for showing up every day, and for all the work you do for our clients. 2021 will be a great year because of YOU!

Happy New Year.

Rob

President & CEO

KUDOS TO EVERYONE

We made it through 2020. You continued to show up each and every day for our clients, your co-workers, and our community. Thank you for your perseverance, strength and desire to continue serving everyone in need throughout our community. YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Happy New Year!

Have you seen a group or department doing awesome work? Email communication s and we will give them KUDOS in the next newsletter.

We of the DEI Committee would like to introduce ourselves to the rest of the agency. After two years of planning, the DEI Committee held its first meeting in September of 2020. Formed for the purpose of guiding and holding the institution accountable in the integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into all aspects of CCEW. This guidance impacts all of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington (CCEW) as a whole, from how we serve our clients, the way we train and equip new hires, as well as policy creation and the way Senior Leadership manages. Our goal is simple, to further develop our agency into one that strives for justice always, by protecting diversity, ensuring equity, and promoting inclusion. This critical work is achieved by advising the agency on how to best develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and practices that are committed to DEI work, as well as holding our leaders accountable for their commitment to DEI across the agency.

Our first goal as a Committee is to investigate the current health of CCEW as it pertains to DEI. This process involves examining current practices, including training and report forms, as well as stimulating dialogue with Leadership, the Broader Agency, and the community we serve. Communication is crucial to developing a cultural humility necessary for effective DEI work. The DEI Committee has been empowered to Protect, Ensure, and Promote DEI, and we are excited to serve CCEW in this capacity.

Our team members are:

· Charles Perry (Regional Family Assistance Coordinator) Parish Social Ministries | Chair

· Angela Velasco (Therapist) Counseling | Vice Chair

· Melissa Zielstorf (Case Worker) Rising Strong | Secretary

· Keala Arquero (Community Outreach Coordinator) HOC | Logistics/Tech Chair

· Avery Gates (Case Manager) HOC | Safety Person

· Jeanette McNally (Social Services Coordinator) Housing | Safety Chair

· Amanda Fowler (Loft Administrator) Catholic Charities Walla Walla

· Ana Torres (Counselor) Catholic Charities Walla Walla

· Carmen Gomez (Human Resources Representative) Human Resources

· Gladys Martinez (Lead Teacher) St. Anne’s Children & Family Center

· Jerry Allen (Property Manager) Housing

· Nicole Ortega (Finance and Payroll Clerk) Finance

· Tony Carlton (Regional Maintenance Manager) Housing

We plan to use the space provided for us in the chat to begin an honest dialogue with Broader Agency, so please feel free to reach out to us with any comments, questions or ideas at DEI-Committee@cceasternwa.org.

Congratulations to December trivia winner Emma Noland! Stop by the the front desk at the Family Services Center for your trivia champion mug!

January Trivia

Name one of the four NFL teams who have never gone to the Superbowl.

Send your trivia answers to Communications with the subject line: Trivia Answer. Each entry will be placed into a monthly drawing a Trivia Champion coffee mug!