How is Wayfinder doing in the ongoing pandemic?
Who would have guessed that we would still be in the throes of the pandemic a year-and-a-half later! The pandemic has caused so much grief and pain in our society and to our clients and staff. It has been a time of loss. Through it all, Wayfinder has been a beacon of hope. Like Anne Lamott wrote, you do the right thing… you wait and watch and don’t give up. That’s what Wayfinder is doing, and for that I am extremely grateful to our staff. I am so impressed with their innovation and commitment.
What feedback have you gotten from staff during the pandemic?
Wayfinder staff always put our clients first, so it was very important to me that we support our staff as much as possible. In a staff meeting a few months ago, Tom, a mental health community coordinator whose preschooler has respiratory issues, said, “The agency did a good job protecting our health and safety. It was an act of God that I was at Wayfinder when the pandemic hit.” Barbara, a quality assurance specialist who’s a single mom with two boys, said, “Not every employer offered flexibility to their staff. Talking to my friends, it was clear that Wayfinder was the most supportive employer.” I can’t tell you how good this made me feel!
Is there a story about staff that stands out to you?
As much as staff care about our clients, they also care about each other. Our supervisors build and nurture high-performing teams. In 2020, despite all their precautions, Tom’s family caught COVID the week of Thanksgiving. His co-workers surprised Tom with a Thanksgiving dinner, delivered to his front door! One person made a turkey. Others brought mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, vegetables and biscuits. Tom said he cried tears of joy while eating the mashed potatoes. I got teary myself when I heard this story. I’m so proud to lead an organization where teamwork is visible and friendships grow among staff.
Read Board Chair Elworth (Brent) Williams, Jr. Q&A
December 8, 2021