Growing with Intention: Investing in Our People

Alexis Bond from Riff Agency teaching a Kolbe Assessment Training

From‭ ‬5‭ ‬to 45‭ ‬staff members‭, ‬our organization has experienced significant and intentional growth to meet the increasing needs of the children‭, ‬youth‭, ‬and families we serve‭. ‬This rapid expansion reflects both the demand for our programs and our commitment to delivering high-quality, relationship-centered support‭. ‬With the support of a MJ Murdock Charitable Trust grant‭, ‬our Board prioritized‭ ‬people-first infrastructure‭ ‬by creating and filling a dedicated HR Manager role‮—‬ensuring that as our team grows‭, ‬we are equipped to support‭ ‬staff sustainability‭, ‬strengthen internal systems‭, ‬maintain compliance‭, ‬and‭ ‬invest in the long-term health and success of our people‭.‬

Caring for our Team and Our Community
Our team came together in service by packing ‬50 ‬Go-Bags for children ‬entering foster care‭, ‬providing essential items to support their first 24‭ ‬hours in the child welfare system. ‬We then invested in staff sustainability by welcoming a burnout prevention speaker onsite‭, ‬offering insight and affirmation for staff working in emotionally demanding roles‭. ‬The experience concluded with a shared outing at Kiggins Theatre‭, ‬a beloved Vancouver landmark‮—‬creating space for connection‭, ‬reflection‭, ‬and joy as a team‭.‬

Professional and Team Performance Assessments
Over the past year‭, staff participated in a Kolbe Assessment, which is a professional and team performance system that understands and builds on an individual’s instinctive strengths. It allows us to make strategic internal moves that align roles with‭ ‬individual strengths‭. ‬This approach has strengthened internal operations and improved team effectiveness‭.‬


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Spreading Holiday Joy: Supporting Caregivers and Children Across SW Washington