Hailey

Safety starts with ensuring that members remain not only physically safe, but emotionally safe as well. We want to provide our members with this physical safety first so that they can feel comfortable enough to express and share their emotions at the club. We want members to have a sense of security and confidence so that they can take risks, feel challenged, and be excited to try and learn new things! Many of our members deal with difficult circumstances that can be challenging to work through on their own. Regularly, members come to this individual to voice concerns, frustrations, and any burdens they are feeling.  Although the information members have voiced can take an emotional toll on anyone who is listening, they know by going Hailey they will be heard and listened to by a club staff they trust.

Members are quick to notice and point out when Hailey is not at the club. They will approach me and ask me where she is and when she will be back. The members seek out this individual because she has proven over her time with the organization that she genuinely care about the members. All the members recognize the challenging work and compassion she puts into the Club every day and when she is occasionally absent, it does not go unnoticed by any of the kids.

Recently, on two separate occasions, members have relayed information regarding depression. This subject can be emotionally taxing on a staff member. With that said, Hailey’s compassion, kindness and listening ear have proven to be just what many members need.  One of the members spoke about their feelings and revealed that they were struggling, not only with school, but with their own self value. This member expressed that they were angry, hurt and frustrated. This staff member leant a compassionate ear and really listened to the member, and then was able have conversations with the family and school to extend the network of support, – to help the member see that there are more people that are willing and able to help and support for them. Another member came to Hailey about a traumatic event that had been causing the member to become distant and not behave in a manner that they typically would. This member expressed to her the sadness and the hurt that they were feeling.

These are just two examples of just how much the members value Hailey. Hailey has proven herself to be the person that members look to in tough times, as she provides emotional safety for our members.