David's Corner

I would like you to meet Sarah Yoon, our Systems Training and Development Specialist in Human Resources. Sarah's role was created to help meet the growing demand for staff training resources, and she enjoys developing tools and learning opportunities that sets employees up for success.  Sarah also shared a bucket list goal that sparked an unexpected connection and words of encouragement.  Please join us! Please suggest colleagues you'd like to see featured in the future, and leave a comment below for Sarah and me. David Health, Justice and Hope

I am delighted to introduce Brittany Holden, Victim Advocate in our Inland Northwest office. Brittany serves the Gonzaga University community, providing support, advocacy, and resources to individuals impacted by sexual and criminal assault and other traumatic experiences.  A woman of many interests, Brittany shares her self-care practices for compassion fatigue, as well as her passion for the arts. From her background in opera to performing as a stand-up comic and sketch comedian, her story is both inspiring and unexpected.  Take a break and join us for this conversation at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Brittany and me. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet John Erikson, Cybersecurity Specialist. For more than two years, John has helped protect LCSNW's systems and data -- keeping our operations running so we can continue serving our clients. With the constant escalation in cyberattacks, the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by hackers keeps John on his toes. He shares practical tips to help us stay protected and a glimpse into what he enjoys when he's not fighting the bad guys on our behalf. Please join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for John and me. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Yolanda Estrella, Program Coordinator Bilingual, at our Everett Community Resource Center. For 11 years, Yolanda has been committed to serving families in crisis, providing life essentials and connections to support services for Snohomish County's diverse communities. She's a detail-oriented, coffee-loving "night owl" who serves her community with heart. Please join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Yolanda and I. David Health, Justice and Hope

I'd like you to meet Kristina Brown, Director of our new Project Management Office. Kristina joined the organization one year ago to help direct strategic, complex projects like our merger with Compass, which completed its successful first phase. As we prepare for the new fiscal year, Kristina will help us prioritize and implement "the right projects, with the right people, the right way." This busy mom enjoys golf, coffee shops and time in the mountains. Please join us.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Kristina and I. David Health, Justice and Hope

I recently had a delightful conversation with Charlene Mitchell, Director of Emergency Services for our newly merged Compass Housing Alliance division. Charlene oversees critical services for unhoused individuals including 310 shelter beds, a feeding program and hygiene center. We talked about her passion for serving others and leading teams with compassion, empathy and grace. Please take a short coffee break and join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Charlene and I. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Michelle Bickford, Senior Accountant, working in the Tri-Cities area. She recently celebrated her four-year anniversary at LCSNW, having worked extensively on the financial integration of Compass Housing Alliance. Michelle enjoys supporting staff who do the frontline program work with timely expense reimbursements and reporting of charitable donations. A recent empty nester, she's learning golf and is a loyal Seahawks and Mariners fan. Please join our conversation. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Michelle and I. David Health, Justice and Hope

While visiting our offices in McMinnville, OR, I met Eveliina Wallace (in kiddo size chairs!) and helped dedicate a new playground at LCSNW's A Family Place Relief Nursery. Eveliina is the Home Visiting Program Manager and they provide in-home support to parents of children age 0-5. Away from work, she enjoys road trips to the beach, theater and time with her husband and eight grandchildren. She gave me an idea for a fun and unique activity for the executive team I'm checking into. Please join our conversation at David's Corner. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Eveliina and I. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would love you to meet Jessica Stovall. She took a few moments from a packed seasonal schedule to tell me about her role as Program Coordinator for Santa for Seniors, a national program based in Tacoma. The team works to reduce isolation for seniors through year-round gifts, acknowledgements and intergenerational connections. Jessica wears many hats working with volunteers, community partners and senior organizations. Keeping in the holiday spirit, we shared our favorite family treat recipes for Lefse and Special K's. Please join us at David's Corner. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Jessica and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Sarana Pallebage, a Mental Health Clinician with our MCS District in Portland. Sarana is former immigrant from Sri Lanka who loves working with LCSNW clients from many different cultures and experiences. He is a practicing Buddhist monk who brings mindfulness and reverence to his life and his work. Sarana offers good counsel for all of us seeking work-like balance. We had other time-sensitive videos to bring you first, but are delighted to introduce Sarana now. Please join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Sarana and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

As we head into Benefits Open Enrollment season, I would like you to meet Erica Winters, Benefits Manager. Erica joined LCSNW this time last year and is passionate about working with employees to get the best benefits for themselves and their families. She highlights some lesser known benefits you might like to know about. Away from work, she's a mom, gardener and "passenger princess" motorcycle rider. Please join our delightful conversation at David's Corner. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Erica and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I recently chatted with Christopher Ross, President of Compass Housing Alliance (CHA), about the next exciting chapter of the two Pacific Northwest organizations joining forces. I'm thrilled to welcome CHA's commitment and Christopher's personal passion for serving the unhoused with the mantra "Everyone Deserves a Home." This video is a great way to learn about the impressive depth of emergency services, shelter and housing that Compass brings to our communities. I'm honored to partner with this exceptional organization and know Compass and LCSNW together are going to do some amazing things. Please join us in this special edition of David's Corner.   Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Christopher and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Sean Wright, Clinical Director for Spokane's Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Response Center, also known as "SAFeT clinical." Sean joined LCSNW 13 years ago as a therapist and grew into the staff support and supervision leadership role he holds today. We talked about good food, self-care in stressful jobs, and I found his "therapist-y" question of me insightful. Please join us.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Sean and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I had the most delightful conversation with Munira Farah, Clinical Supervisor in the GPS District. She and 21 colleagues from the Behavioral Health Counseling Services team recently moved from small offices in Kent, WA, to our SeaTac location. She strives to always be learning in her supervisory role and is passionate about supporting staff to enjoy their jobs and do their best. Parenting has changed this former introvert and current mom of two little ones in ways that will bring a smile to your face. Take a break and join us at David's Corner. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Munira and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

Please join Heather Tinsley and me for a summertime edition of David's Corner. Heather is a Peer Support Specialist at our Relief Nursery in Klamath Fall, OR. -- a town of special fondness to me. In a team working with the whole family, she supports parents whose teens are experiencing behavioral and medical concerns. This kayaker and fledgling gardener is grateful to LCSNW for encouraging her to transition her career to this role. Let's meet up at David's Corner. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Heather and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I hope you can join my delightful conversation with Jasenka Cehajic, Program Manager with our Safe Route Immigrations program in Vancouver, WA. In her 27 years with LCSNW, she has helped hundreds of clients with immigrant and refugee services that are affordable and accessible. We spoke about the importance of advocacy, how she finds work-life balance and more. Please stop by David's Corner and meet Jasenka. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Jasenka and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Collin Dow, Quality Assurance & Improvement (QA&I) Manager, supporting all of our districts from a home base of Kennewick, WA. He's passionate about improving processes to make them better for our clients and staff, and his team played a big role in our recent accreditation. He's also a busy dad and skilled home handyman, with a little help from YouTube . Please join us at David's Corner.   Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Collin and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Qayssar (pronounced Caesar) Lami who is an Employment Program Supervisor at our Beaverton, OR, offices. He is an especially thoughtful man who helps prepare clients for employment and find good jobs to match their skills. His work is helping to break down stereotypes of persons relocating to this country which is so important at this time. Please join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Qayssar and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I had a conversation this week with Sergio Razo, Chief Technology Officer, about our Microsoft Office 365 transformation project. With more than 1 million files already migrated, there is still work ahead to see the full benefits of this challenging change. Sergio maps out the status of the project and the steps being taken to get us past the rough spots. Please join us.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Sergio and David. David Health, Justice and Hope

I would like you to meet Vicky Garcia who is a mental health clinician at the Juvenile Justice Center in Kennewick where she works with youth in incarceration. Based out of our Tri-Cities offices, her approach is rehabilitative rather than punitive and her main goal is to create a safe spaces for youth. You'll quickly lean that Vicky loves the cold and appreciates the positivity and "big hearts" of her co-workers. Please join us at David's Corner.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Vicky and David. David Health, Justice and Hope