January 2023
Below is the digital version of our January 2023 Newsletter. We have also included the articles in this blog for universal text access.
Accessible Articles below:
BECKY'S CORNER - A note from our Director
Life is Like a Book. Some chapters are sad, some happy and some exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds. Wishing you the best chapter yet this coming NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year to each of you! The year is off to an interesting and attention getting start. It’s a new chapter and we are turning the page and starting that chapter together. Let’s make it a story filled with joy, growth, honesty, caring and a healthy respect for what we have learned along the way.
Covid continues to impact us greatly. We continue to have all the safety strategies in place— washing hands, ventilating inside space, testing whenever there are symptoms after a conversation with the Director, mask wearing when advised and sanitizing thoroughly in the homes of the people we assist. We continue to work diligently at protecting the people we support and the staff that work with them.
The search for enthusiastic and capable new staff goes on. We are understaffed and are seeking applicants in many ways. If you know someone who you think would enjoy the work please let us know and send them our way. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to find valuable and creative new staff. Your help is always appreciated. Welcome to 2023! The possibilities are endless and inspiring. We can accomplish anything we set our hearts to accomplish. Hard work may be necessary but our efforts are worth the accomplishments.
The secret to a good life is to never stop... creating, smiling, dreaming, loving, searching, thanking, hugging, feeling, playing, wishing, learning, forgiving, healing, expressing, appreciating, believing, & living.
Happy Days to Each and every one of you,
Becky
SPOTLIGHTS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
Janie
Janie is a truly special person. She has an amazing smile and laugh that lights up the room that she is in.
I remember one time when we were camping, her wheelchair got stuck in the dirt right beside the beverage table. Instead of getting discouraged, she made the most of the situation and started serving everyone their drinks with a smile. She really knows how to make the best out of a situation! She has the most positive attitude of anyone I've met.
It has been pure joy being Janie’s housemate. I enjoy seeing her eyes light up when I come back home after being gone for a day or two. And i feel the same about her.
Janie loves to get out of her house and travel around Watsonville. One of her favorite places to go is Starbucks. She is a delight to be around!
Miss Janie has such a sweet soul and she's wonderful to be around. She always has a huge smile when she is happy or excited. She has a great memory, when I ask her to remember something for me to do the next shift I work, she always remembers. She is fun to go out with and is always up for whatever adventure we're on. I am so proud of how much better her life is now and how she is thriving since giving us a chance and listening to our advice. She is a very brave woman to be able to have gone through the death of her husband and be able to move on with her life.
Janie is such a sweet and kind woman. She has a great sense of humor. I don't know Janie too well but in the time I have spent around her I have enjoyed her energy and company. It has been an honor to work with Janie and support her in all of her life events.
The first time I ever had the pleasure of meeting Janie she had a smile on her face, she is very cheerful and always a pleasure to be around. Everytime you see her she's got a big smile on her face. She is spontaneous and loves adventures! Though Janie can be a troublemaker at times, the stories she has to share are priceless.
She has faced many life changing events while we have known her— some happy and some sad. She has met each of them with bravery and resilience and we are honored to support her to live a life that makes sense for her.
Tina
Tina is one of the kindest people I know. She always has a smile on her face and her laugh is contagious. She truly has a loving heart and a wonderful soul. Just by observing her with people she supports, you can tell how good she is at her job and how much she truly enjoys it. Tina is an amazing listener, is compassionate, fun, easy to laugh with, a hard worker and very dedicated. I am proud to know her and call her my friend.
I like how she doesn’t seem to let things bother her. She always gets to her shifts early. She is dependable and has a positive attitude! Tina makes others feel welcome and comfortable when in her presence. She is kind, authentic and always finds a way to get a laugh in. She enjoys the little things in life and does not take it so seriously all the time.
Tina has been my right hand on Janie’s team, and she helps me more than she knows! Tina is always cheerful when I call no matter the circumstances. We could talk for hours if the day allowed us to.
Tina is a dedicated and well loved lead staff who is willing to do everything she can to support the people she works with. I'm grateful to know Tina and Harbor is lucky to have had her as part of our family for so long!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Birthdays
Samira Totah- 1/1
Dana Keating- 1/ 6
Jennifer Cole- 1/7
Enrique Juarez- 1/ 8
Shanie Lane- 1/9
Tina Eason- 1/13
Charlotte Charboneau 1/18
Francesca Palesoo - 1/18
Alan Hernandez- 1/21
Ali Kan Abusaidi - 1/28
Janie Earlie - 1/31
Harborversaries
Alen Kiflezgi- 20 years
Frances Berlanga- 6 years
Andre Llana- 5 years
Shanie Lane- 3 years
Rebecca Klose- 2 years
Aracelia Antuna- 1 year
Abbey deDiego- 1 year
Trainings
New Hire Orientation Thursday, January 19th, 2023 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Policies & Procedures Friday, January 20th, 2023 1:00PM - 3:00PM
FOLLOW OUR CALENDAR
We have a calendar on our website with current event details. 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