Michelle Perry, Amara
Nominated by MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS
How does this individual go above and beyond to impact and improve the lives of children and families in our community?
“Michelle grew up and has lived in the Pierce County community her whole life. She spent over ten years supporting families whose children were in out of home placements, such as foster and kinship care, by transporting the children to the visits with their families and providing guidance, support, and feedback while supervising the visits. She has worked at Amara for several years and has taken on many important responsibilities at the Family Resource Center in Tacoma. Whenever a family visits, whether it's their first visit or they have known her for years, Michelle makes sure they are welcomed. Participants at the Family Resource Center regularly comment on how much warmth and comfort that they felt when they had the opportunity to interact with Michelle and receive her support for their needs. She develops positive, trusting relationships with children and adults across a variety of family structures. Her priorities are to ensure children and families have access to the resources that they most need and she is creative and solution-oriented for making that happen. Michelle's deep connections in the community means that several times a month, we have a participant or community agency visit for the first time and recognize her - and their reaction is always one of excitement and happiness. Her connections with the community have allowed us to be able to source more resources to meet the needs of families that we otherwise would not be able to. When she encounters something she doesn't know the answer to, she doesn't just stop there or refer a family to another agency on a whim, but will make a point to find an answer - or someone who has it - and follow up with the family. Michelle also makes it a point to learn the names of visitors and greet them with it at their next visit. Her care for the community is genuine, robust, and firm.”
What special qualities does this individual bring into their work?
“She is attentive to the needs families express and goes out of her way to find resources for families. Michelle makes quick connections with participants, building rapport naturally and by meeting the family where they are at. She makes it a point to ensure that everyone she interacts with has the opportunity to share about themselves, what they need help with, and explore the ways we can offer assistance.”
“Her caring is authentic and warm and everyone can feel it - her coworkers and all the families who come to the Family Resource Center. Michelle provides reassurance, kindness, and understanding to all, including kids of all ages and all the diverse families who come to Amara for help.”
Describe a specific instance or project where the individual exemplified their special qualities, contribution, or innovative solution?
“One of the busiest days at the Family Resource Center is Fridays when food gets restocked, and one partnership we have is a result of Michelle's community outreach to collaborate with them. Michelle is organized, thoughtful, and efficient to ensure the food ready in the way that will be easiest for families to access. Because of how busy those few hours are for the food pantry, it can be easily become chaotic and disorganized. Every Friday during that time, she has a smile on her face and is engaging with babies, young children, youth, and adults in fun and playful ways. Numerous families have shared with Michelle's colleagues about the ways she helped make their visit comfortable, safe, and enjoyable, and some have said it's specifically been that experience that has them continue coming back each week. They feel confident that they can rely on Michelle for her consistent empathy and consideration.”
What else should we know about this nominated individual?
“It isn't typical that programs look at untraditional data sources like how many times someone laughs or feels a sense of connectedness during an interaction, but I know that if it were something we tracked, Michelle's interactions with families would be off the charts. She is an incredible colleague and provides families with an immeasurable amount of positive support. She sees their strengths, potential, and is intentional to learn about them in meaningful ways. I couldn't ask for a better person to sit side by side with every day!”