How our Staff Keeps Showing Up for the Community

by Suzanne Crawford, CEO

“I love when people that have been through hell walk out of the flames carrying buckets of water for those still consumed by the fire.” – Stephanie Sparkle

The past year and a half has not been easy for our staff and volunteers. When COVID first hit, other businesses were shutting down but we knew that was not an option for SCCC. Food, financial assistance, and other resources (like digital literacy training and parent support groups) were more needed than ever. We had to keep providing support to our most vulnerable community members, so we adapted our operations in order to continue offering services in a safe manner. During that early time, when we were going through so many transitions as an organization, our staff and volunteers were having their own fears and reactions to the pandemic. Every person in our organization seemed to be in a different position on the continuum of concern and how a person felt could change from day to day. We learned very quickly to apply our philosophy regarding how we work with our participants to each other: we needed to meet each other where we were in that moment. We had to let each other feel what we needed to feel and give each other grace. Supporting each other became our number one concern because we knew we were only as strong as our weakest link.

Our staff—and a core group of dedicated volunteers—continued to show up day after day after day after day. They adapted, they filled in for each other, they took on new roles and responsibilities when necessary, and they met an unprecedented demand for financial assistance and food. What is truly remarkable about this is that so many were dealing with major life issues outside of work: weddings, deaths, breakups, illnesses, home purchases, and family emergencies. All of the major traumas that happen during normal life still happen during a pandemic. Yet our folks continually showed up for each other and showed up for our community.

Despite the heartache of this past year, there is also a deep well of joy that comes from being a part of such a wonderful team. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to this amazing team for all you have done to support your community and each other. You continued carrying those buckets of water, despite the stresses you were personally going through. For this, you have my deepest gratitude, respect, and love.