Pictured: Crista Hendrickson (right) receiving the award from Heather Hansen, Director (left)

Congratulations to Crista Hendrickson, in Community Services from Vancouver, Washington!

At SA, Employee Satisfaction means we each feel valued for our work and supported in advancing our own potential. Crista is recognized as being someone who always steps in to help without judgment.  She is kind, creative, professional and a model in embedding SA’s values throughout her work. Here is a summary of the two nominations Crista received:

“Any time someone approaches Crista for advice or assistance, she considers how to incorporate SA values and align them with our own personal values and always helps people feel seen and understood.  Crista has always been extremely approachable and is well known for her kind and patient manner.

Crista effortlessly aids people in learning from their mistakes without causing guilt or shame but rather acceptance and understanding that these are opportunities to grow together. Crista always finds new resources for us and our clients to use that incorporates their beliefs and values, and I’m fairly certain she can problem-solve literally any issue we run into. Crista is always thinking of ways for our team to be connected and of ways to make our foster homes and employees feel appreciated.  She uses such things as meaningful small tokens/gifts or creating habits of reaching out to connect with people. She is always kind, professional, creative, and is simply an amazing individual that inspires the people around her to be the same.”

“Crista is an outstanding leader in her relatively new position as Area Manager. She contributes to the team by being a model in efficiently managing a team, while contributing to the culture, kindness, positivity, and team goals. I have seen her jump in and help other co-workers with their duties when they were overloaded, such as Case Management issues and documents that needed to be corrected or addressed quickly. I have been assisted by her several times when I felt overloaded. Her attitude in helping others is very genuine.

I struggle with tech on a regular basis. I will reach out to Crista who is always happy to step in and show me step by step how to complete the task that is needed. She is patient and will show me tools that help her in her own role. She does not judge me but motivates me to remember what I was taught! I feel as though she cares about every person on the team and appreciates others’ opinions, no matter how they differ. To make everyone feel valued and welcomed in a group is important to me, and I especially notice small gestures of making others feel heard.”

Big congratulations to Crista!  Your commitment to SA’s values are felt by everyone you encounter, thank you for leading by example.

***Remember: all employees are eligible to receive the SA Value Award – submit your nomination for a co-worker today!