August 2022
Below is the digital version of our August 2022 Newsletter. For easier viewing, click the download button & view as PDF. We have also included the articles in this blog for universal text access.
Accessible Articles below:
BECKY'S CORNER - A note from our Director
August is THAT month when we know that the end of summer is approaching. The first day of Fall is not until September 22nd, but that will sneak up on us. When I was a kid we didn’t go back to school until after Labor Day but now my grand kids start back to school the second week of August. I hope you have all enjoyed the Summer this year.
It has been a whirlwind here at Harbor and let me share with you some of that “whirl”. Last year our dear friend, Deb, left us to return to her place in the sky where she can watch over us. We all miss her very much and are comforted by knowing she will always watch us–she wouldn’t want to miss a thing going on here!!! Our lives are forever changed by our crossing paths with Deb and her family. We had a barbecue in her honor and a number of us went to the beach and celebrated her with food and bubbles–two of her favorite things. We love you, Deb, and will never be the same again.
"The reality is that you will grieve forever. you will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one, you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to."
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross & John Kessler
We are continuing to practice all of the safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID. Mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, sanitizing people’s homes and anything else we can think of that will keep everyone safe are all happening. We will continue all of these measures on an ongoing basis. Dana Keating, Harbor Facilitator, has moved on from Harbor SLS to the next chapter of her career. Dana has worked with us for many years in many capacities. She has been a housemate, a direct service professional and a Facilitator. She has formed close and lasting relationships with the people she supports and with their families over those years. The staff that have worked alongside her admire and respect her commitment and creativity. She promises she will not be a stranger and she is going to attend our annual camping trip at the beginning of September in Big Sur. We will host a larger celebration bidding Dana an official farewell sometime later in September so watch for the announcement and invitation. Any organization that she graces with her effort and work will be fortunate to have her.
As we move into the last months of 2022, we have to admit it has gone by very quickly. LIFE moves on and brings us new adventures, challenges, celebrations, sadness and joy. It is up to each of us to greet the morning with a smile and make the choice to make it a good day. We are in control of our reaction to the day even when we can’t always control the events of the day. WE choose to make August a happy and productive month — care to join us in that choice? Check out our website and the calendar of events and let’s get on with the month.
Happy Days to Each and every one of you,
Becky
SPOTLIGHTS
Nichole West
Everyone loves being on Nichole's team. She is known to be so nice and creative, always brightening the room with a silly face to make you smile or a joke to make you laugh. All her friends say that she is the kindest friend a person could ask for. Nichole really cares for everyone, including animals in her life, plants, friends, and family. The artistic hand that Nichole has with color is phenomenal. People who support Nichole feel lucky to be part of her life and we all can’t wait to see all the fun and amazing things she does and continues to do. Nichole smiles and lightens up when she talks about walking the dogs at the SPCA. She is kind and very special in her own way and has a big heart, shining a bright light in the lives of her friends and family. She is always looking to make other people laugh and does so by making funny faces, cracking jokes, and doing impressions. We are very lucky to have the honor of being in her life and supporting her in reaching her goals.
Shanie Lane
Shanie Lane is a woman who seems to do all things with great care and concern for the outcome, product and the people involved. She is a woman of many skills including but not limited to; creative, organized, and thorough. One of her friends says “She is sweet, centered and fierce; a little bit of everything.” At Harbor SLS, she has moved from Direct Service Professional to Lead Staff Person and now to Facilitator. When I think about Shanie and her work, I think about organization, creativity and follow through. She prides herself on her independence in her work and rarely asks for help. In some cases, that might be worrisome but with Shanie it has been an inspiration. Working as a Facilitator at Harbor SLS is a complex and demanding set of responsibilities but Shanie carries them well. The relationships she has developed with the people she supports are a joy to observe. She works tirelessly and efficiently. She is kind and compassionate with all people --people we support, co-workers and families of the people involved in her caseload. Shanie is sweet and patient to everyone around her - she truly cares about the work she does and the people she supports. As one of her staff say, “I think that we are so lucky to have her as our facilitator. She's always ready to help, and I appreciate everything she does for Anya! I love Shanie.” We are thrilled to have her as part of our community here at Harbor. We can all agree with one of her friends that says “Shanie constantly inspires me to do and be better. I'm grateful to know her!”
A NEW FACE IN THE OFFICE
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jallen Estimo to the newly created position of HR and Scheduling Coordinator. Jallen recently graduated from UCSC with a B.A. in Economics. He is the former Vice President of external affairs for his fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta. He was born in the Manila, Philippines, but moved to the US when he was 5 y/o and grew up in the Bay Area. He enjoys a lot of different things, he is an avid gym goer, he loves building computers and learning about new technology, watching theater, and going to concerts! He enjoys playing the ukulele also. He describes himself as a pretty open person with bright energy, he loves meeting new people and learning new things from others! He tries to model himself and the principles he lives his life by from the best aspects of his environment. Jallen is assisting with recruitment, interviewing and hiring of new staff to Harbor SLS. He also assists all of us with scheduling coverage for open shifts as they develop. He is creative and organized which are both necessary qualities for this position. If you haven’t met Jallen yet, we hope you will come by the office and meet him soon! We are happily welcoming him to the Harbor Family!
Quote of the Month
"I love kind people because kindness is intentional. When someone goes out of their way to do something for someone else. When they are generous. When they are giving of their time or resources. A listening ear. A shoulder to cry on. A conversation at the right time. For the right person those acts can change everything. So when I notice that, I also see the person behind the kindness, and I instantly become thankful. Because people like that help make this world more beautiful. " - Topher Kearby
UPCOMING EVENTS
Birthdays
Cynthia Gustin- 8/1
Devin Garcia- 8/2
Peggy Thompson- 8/8
Andrea Escobar- 8/10
Brianna Donofrio- 8/19
Jasmine Orozco-Nava- 8/22
Harborversaries
Bobby Rodriguez - 1 year
Ismenia Mendoza - 1 year
Adair Arreola - 2 years
Brianna Donofrio - 14 years
FOLLOW OUR CALENDAR
We have a new calendar on our website with current event details and zoom links. Save it to your bookmarks & reference throughout the month!
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!
We would love to feature your photos in our upcoming newsletters. Please send any photos via e-mail to newsletter@harborsls.org