Executive Director
Perseverance. Commitment. Change.
As I reflect on my first full year at the helm of this wonderful organizations, I am struck by our staff’s perseverance and commitment in the face of so many changes wrought by the pandemic.
After a full year of living with Covid-19 and the many challenges it brings, I am prouder than ever of Waban’s caring and hardworking staff. Living with frequent uncertainty, personal losses as well as staff shortages left us all scrambling to do our best.
Our foremost goal is to protect the health of Members and staff. Sometimes that meant working in full PPE or temporarily closing our programs, yet we’ve remained diligent while pursuing day-to-day activities mindful of how important predictability and routines can be in a difficult situation.
Knowing that we rely on our employees, we placed an emphasis on retention and engagement this year and invested significantly in that aspect of our organization. We raised wages, offered hazard pay throughout most of the year, and worked to utilize software when we could to lighten each person’s workload. Additionally, we prioritized bonuses to our front-line workers.
Over the next year, we will update our strategic goals, and our Board and Senior Leadership will continue to prioritize the well-being and empowerment of our staff so they, in turn, can continue to focus on the health and happiness of our Members. Our shared and steadfast commitment to our Members and to the work we do here at Waban has enabled us to maintain a financially healthy and viable organization.
With appreciation,
Jennifer
(To view or download this full report as a PDF, please click here.)
