This post is the fifth in a series introducing FamilyWorks’ new Mission, Vision, and Values. Check back each week to read interviews from staff and board members highlighting each of our values, and click here to view a collection of currently published posts in this series.
What is your role and how did you get involved with FamilyWorks?
Well, currently my role is a Family Programs Coordinator. However, my role was very, I won’t I wouldn’t say minimal. I started off with like 10 to 12 hours a week as a Teen Program Coordinator back in 2008. And, little by little, I kind of just started increasing hours. I was part-time here at Family Works until things changed, grants ended, and so, of course because of that, my role had to change. So now I do a little bit of everything nice and with a little bit of everything. I do Spanish playgroups now. I do like some Youth Empowerment when attendance permits, such as Girls on the Run and Powerful Voices. I also have Chicas de Hoy, which is a women’s empowerment group. I’ve organized field trips, skill-building workshops like our CPR class, Positive Discipline Parenting Classes for our Spanish community and partnered up with other organizations to bring in some more programs.
The next few questions are going to build on one another. The first one is what does Joy mean to you personally? The next one is how does FamilyWorks embody the value of Joy? And then the third one is how have you seen Joy in action at FamilyWorks?
I feel like all of that is all in one, right?
In order for you to create joy wherever you are, you have to have that within you. Being happy, just, you know, feeling that that not so ecstatic, but that feeling of accomplishment, that feeling of, wow, I finish something, or that feeling of like, wow, you know, my participants really got it.
You know, those moments that bring me joy. And I know it also brings them joy. And I feel here as a collective, we like to see our families, you know, grow and show resiliency. You know, sometimes, yes, it’s tough, but it takes a village to kind of just bring all that together. And just joy when I see all the little kids enjoying like their strawberries and their whipped cream today, you know in playgroup that was their joy.
And it brought me joy just to see all their little faces. So it kind of just depends on you know, the little pockets, I guess, of everything that we do.
Why do you think the value of Joy is important?
I feel like a lot of people come here when they’re in crisis mode. You know, there’s something about each of us that we bring to a partnership. And whether it’s just a smile or just like, “hey, do you want some tea or some coffee?” That kind of makes participants feel like, ‘Oh, well, this is a safe space and I can come and just not be judged.’ And I feel that we do a very good job in creating that. And it doesn’t matter if you’re, you know, sweeping or if you’re like the director. It doesn’t matter. I just feel like we all have something to bring.
And then you see the resiliency of the families when they come into, you know, a situation that they’re in crisis, but you see them flourish and then you see them utilizing everything else that we offer. You know, and then also expanding. And like for instance today, you know a participant came into playgroup with her daughter who’s now pregnant, and it was so fun to see how it’s generational.
This little girl used to participate in our Girls on the Run program, in our Powerful Voices program. And now she’s going to be coming as a mom, as a participant in a whole different other capacity. For that next generation. You know, and I mean just to be able to see that also brings me joy.
How do you hope the value of joy will impact the future of frameworks as we, grow and move into our strategic plan and things like that?
Well, I mean, the power of joy, you can’t always just have it up, right? I mean, you have to have the bad with the good, right? You know, it’s just roll with the punches, I guess. Take it as it comes. We can’t predict the future. We can’t predict what’s going to be available right. We are an organization that works under grants and other precarious funding. So it’s kind of just take it day by day, year by year and see how we can keep the momentum up, you know, and to be able to handle things when they’re tough and stressful because, again, it is sometimes very tough and stressful, you know. So it’s important in those moments to also remember the power of joy, and think about times when you can celebrate each other and our community. And just find joy in the littlest things. Joy doesn’t have to be like a grandiose gesture either. You know, it could just be small, like, “Hey, you know what? I really appreciate you helping me today.” Or, I think [our coworker] Hannah does a really good job. Like, I’m just walking in today, and she’s like, “Hey, you look great today!” or “You’re here!” And I think that brings morale up, even like a smile. (I’m going to have to thank Hannah for that!)
Anything else you would like to share about Joy or about your work?
I mean, all I have to say is that I’ve been here. I’ve been the longest standing member of FamilyWorks, and I really had some tough times. But just thinking about my participants, like the girls that I was working with and the participants that I was working with. I felt I couldn’t leave them behind. You know, and I did it, and I’m still here. And that brings me joy because I prevailed. And the participants that I thought about them are still with me now.
Whether it’s, “Hey, I have this going on” or some other update, I still keep in touch with them. They know that I’m still here at FamilyWorks. I’m an old dinosaur here, but they know where I am and they can always come to seek whatever they need.