David's Corner

Join me for a conversation with Adriana Mendivil, Director of Self-Sufficiency Services. Her Community Resource Center teams did an awesome job during the pandemic serving more people who needed our assistance. Adriana also tells us of her mom's fantastic authentic Mexican cooking. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for David and Adriana. David Health, Justice and Hope  

Join me for a new David's Corner with Laurie Larson Caesar, an Oregon Bishop with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The synod is a key partner of LCSNW and Bishop Caesar a delight to meet.  Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for David and Laurie. David Health, Justice and Hope

Join me for a conversation with Emily Garrick-Steenson, our new Advancement Manager for the Yamhill region. She's welcoming "the beginning of an exciting chapter" for their fundraising and marketing priorities for 2023. Emily is also a wrestling mom whose love language is food and away from work you're most likely to find her kayaking with family. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Emily. David Health, Justice and Hope

Today I chat with Mark Kloehn, crime victim advocate and facility dog handler from Spokane. Marks says he "has a weird job" with no days alike. And we meet Walker, our resident dog that provides comfort and support to the victims of crime we work with. Walker preferred to snooze, but we had a great conversation with Mark. Join us. Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Mark and Walker. David Health, Justice and Hope

This week I'm thrilled to welcome two new senior leaders to the LCS team. Aija (pronounced like Hi ya...I ya!) Stapars is our new Chief People Culture Officer and Sergio (pronounced s-ER-j-ee-oh) Razo, Chief Technology Officer.  We hear what attracted them to our organization, what they do for down time and a greeting to their new colleagues in their native languages of Latvian and Spanish.  Then it's a friendly game of office chair shuffle board! Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Aija and Sergio. David Health, Justice and Hope

I'm delighted to talk this week with Masami Villa who is the Independent Living Supervisor with our Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program in King County Washington. Two things that keep Masami at LCS Northwest are the "ability to walk alongside" our clients and the passion of her coworkers. We discussed self-care in the post-pandemic workplace and the brown sugar cookies she took up baking during the pandemic. Join us. Meet Masami's son, June, on his 2nd Birthday He loves trucks! Please make recommendations of colleagues to be highlighted in the future, and leave a comment below for Masami. David Health, Justice and Hope

This is an important conversation with Sharon Gentry, Tri-Cities District Director and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. In conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I asked Sharon to share with us three things we can learn about the signs of suicide, how to help those who are struggling and how we can all practice good self-care when our lives "boil over." Let's all take 10 minutes to learn from Sharon.  Please look below for further resources. David Health, Justice and Hope Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline This 24/7 service via toll-free hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Dial 988 Veterans call 988, ext. 1 website  988lifeline.org National Alliance on Mental Illness / NAMI Mayo Clinic Suicide symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Vets4Warriors National 24/7 peer support network for veteran and military communities st...