When the heavy snowstorm that was forecasted came through last weekend, much of Evansville “paused”. Schools went virtual, families hunkered in place, and many businesses including most of our programs (like Day Education, Truancy, and Community Outpatient Therapy) closed for the safety of everyone.
But for our Residential Program, there is no “off” switch. The youth that live with us are always here relying on us 24/7, and that means we show up.
Some of the most beautiful times of people showing up for one another in history start off with a struggle or tragedy. It is in those moments that the only thing that matters is helping your neighbor and going through it together.
On UMYH campus, that is exactly what happened this past week. Managers and Directors were on the phones and on the roads, checking in on their teams and personally giving rides to staff who couldn’t make it out of their driveways. Staff from various departments stepped away from their “normal” roles without hesitation, jumping in to cover Residential shifts and ensure our youth never felt the impact of the storm. Our Facilities Manager was out early braving the cold to shovel walkways, salt the ice, and making sure campus was safe for those coming and going. Including shoveling out stuck vans.
It’s easy to talk about the big successes and exciting things that happen at UMYH, but it is in the trying moments that the heart of our mission and staff truly shine. To all our incredible staff: Thank you. Thank you for showing up and not letting a little (or a lot) of snow stand in the way of our mission. You show up, and that makes all the difference.
