Monday, July 25, 2011

Two Very Special People 2011


“Excellence is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards. It is also an aimed for standard of performance.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellence#History.  Donna Millette-Fridge exemplified excellence in the service of those who are challenged by mental illness.  Her dedication to those we serve and the contributions she made to First Step  provide the benchmarks by which we judge the quality of our own work.  

Each year the Board of Directors of Sound Community Services accepts nominations for the Donna Millette-Fridge Memorial Award.  For those of you who did not know Donna, she was a First Step employee for many years, her last position was as the Director of Employment Services.  Donna was preparing for her promotion to Associate Director at First Step at the time of her tragic and untimely death. Let me tell you about Donna.

Donna epitomized the values of social  work!  She always exhibited a very strong work ethic, strong leadership, and was an advocate for all of our clients. Donna's special interest was in young people experiencing behavioral health challenges who would be transitioning from their high school years into adulthood where many would be unprepared to face the stigma associated with mental illness which so many of our clients must deal with on a daily basis. She had dedicated her life to helping those young people become productive members of the community.

Donna was admired and respected by her clients and her colleagues. Shortly after her tragic death the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers posthumously awarded to Donna a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Upon the presentation of that award it was noted that, " Her social work colleagues saw in Donna woman who lived the values of social work. She had a vision that one day individuals with psychiatric disabilities would be fully integrated into society and have available to them the same opportunities and benefits we all enjoy.  Her belief in, energy and enthusiasm for individuals with psychiatric disabilities to become productive members of society were contagious and inspired coworkers throughout her agency. agency."  Donna was the "founding" member of  the Sound Community Services "aristocracy." And after her death our Board of Directors established an award in her name- the Donna Millette-Fridge Memorial Award.

The Donna Millette-Fridge Memorial Award is the most important award that Sound Community Services gives as it acknowledges the work of an employee who demonstrates the values that Donna brought to her work.  Each year the Board of Directors receives many nominations for several wonderful and committed employees.  Each year the Board of Directors looks to find that special employee who has demonstrated the dedication and commitment that made Donna so special.  In nominating this year’s winner December Heffernan wrote,

“Anyone who has met Karen Chalecki quickly realizes that working on behalf of the population served by Sound Community Services, Inc. is not simply a job, but a calling.  I first met Karin during my orientation to homeless outreach in August 2009.   The days we spent together were filled quickly as Karin introduced me to colleagues at a myriad of other agencies, educated me about the resources in the community, taught me about the processes for applying for numerous benefits, showed me how and where to venture off the street and into the woods and demonstrated for me the art  of outreach to a population that is often overlooked.  It was not uncommon for us to forget it was lunchtime or to look at the clock and recognize that the day needed to end, although the work would continue tomorrow.  Karin is naturally inclined to continue to work until her goals have been accomplished.  To say that Karin has a strong work ethic would be an understatement.
In the year and half following my orientation, I regularly looked to Karin for direction, knowing she would always have the best interests of the person served at heart.  She would always try to “think outside of the box” for individuals who were encountering obstacles in their lives and work collaboratively and creatively to advocate for them.  Watching Karin engage with some of the most difficult clients was something I learned a great deal from and borrowed for my own work.  I will never forget talking with Karin outside the Homeless Hospitality Center when she stated that this work was a “lesson in humanity.”  Karin’s compassion for our persons served is very real!
I have come to know that Karin’s drive comes from her passion and dedication to her work.  Karin has an amazing amount of energy, a wealth of knowledge, an unsurpassed commitment to the needs of our persons served, and an unrivaled passion for advocacy.   Her work is guided by the ethics and values shared by the late Donna Millette-Fridge.”
 I am pleased that once again the work and commitment of another member of the Sound Community Services family has been recognized by our Board of Directors.  Karin Chalecki joins Donna Millette-Fridge as a member of Sound Community Services'  "aristocracy.”  Please join me in thanking Karin for her work on behalf of those we serve and congratulate her as the winner of  2011 Donna Millette-Fridge Memorial Award.