Kudos Archive

Allison 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Allison works diligently behind the scenes doing important work that supports UMYH! She does a great job helping ensure we are following grant guidelines. Thank you Allison for doing the all that you do!

Andria 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Andria is always quick to help out and is very knowledgeable. She consistently brings strength and stability to UMYH. She is always friendly and makes you feel at home in her presence!

Angie

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Angie is a blessing to have in the classroom! She does a great job of "reading the room" and knows exactly when to step in to help de-escalate potential crises. Angie is also great at building rapport with students while also maintaining healthy and professional boundaries. She is a joy to work with!

Amber 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Amber is a strong and effective leader who communicates well with her team to ensure youth needs are met in a fair and consistent way. She supervises Day Education staff with confidence and maintains a firm, supportive approach.

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Amber demonstrates teamwork everyday. Most recently Amber demonstrated teamwork by making her way to campus during the snow storm to work as a Residential Counselor! Thank you Amber for all your help and support during this time and everyday!

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Amber has been great about getting the kids scheduled for testing and figuring out transportation for everyone. She has also been great with making the transition to the new testing run smoothly. Thank you for all you do for day education!

Bobby

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Bobby is always looking for ways to improve Day Education and make the classroom experience better for the youth. He’s always willing to jump in and help wherever needed, and his positive attitude and dedication make a big difference. Bobby truly is a great instructor and a valuable part of the team!

Dalayja

Dalayja
Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Dalayja does a great job connecting with the youth and making them feel welcome and comfortable! Thank you Dalayja

Destiny

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Destiny does a great job maintaining a positive attitude and getting the youth involved in activities. She takes the time to get to know the youth! Thank you Destiny!

Deshay 1

Recognition Category: Safety
Why: Deshay always knows the right answers when it comes to medical and nature questions. A wellspring of knowledge, she is always a pleasure to talk to!

Deshay
Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Deshay did a great job coming up with fun and creative ideas for Every Kid Healthy Week for Day Reporting and Residential. Thank you Deshay!

Don

Don
Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Don has a remarkable ability to make every youth feel seen and heard. He meets each youth where they are and works to build meaningful connections that help them grow and succeed.

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Don does a great job of building relationships with the youth that we work with. He goes out of his way to connect with the youth in various ways.

Elizabeth

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Elizabeth does an excellent job of ensuring everyone receives all the information they need about their benefits. She is always available to answer questions and takes the time to provide clear, helpful guidance whenever it's needed.

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Elizabeth always goes the extra mile to make things run smoother, coming up with new ideas and putting them into action. I appreciate how she works hard to make our workplace a better and more supportive. Plus, she's super approachable and always there to listen and help with advice!

Haley

Haley
Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Shoutout to Haley for all the hard work, care, and dedication you put into helping students succeed every day. Your support truly makes a difference — thank you for all you do as a truancy worker!

Hannah 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Hannah has done a wonderful job jumping into her role despite many department changes in her short time here. She is committed to doing her job, and doing it well, and is willing to go above and beyond for the organization!

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Thank you Hannah for jumping in on the Block Party! You were ready to go talk to everyone and gather support for UMYH!

Jascie 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Jascie always shows up with a positive and friendly demeanor. She is always willing to help out and does so without hesitation. She is truly an invaluable member of the team!

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Jascie does a great job working with the families of the youth in residential. She is very accommodating to their schedules and often stays late to allow them to visit at times that is convenient to them. Thank you Jascie!

Jascie
Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Jascie always approaches others with compassion and understanding. She is always respectful towards others and is willing to give others support when they need it!

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Jascie is always willing to help out wherever she is needed. She is always willing to lend an ear, a helping hand or compassionate heart to the youth! Jascie offers support to those she works with and is always willing to share her thoughts and knowledge with others. Thank you Jascie!!!!

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Jascie does a great job advocating for our youth. She speaks to the youth in a way that makes them feel safe and supported.

Jeanna

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Jeana does a great job connecting with the students and making the best lunches. Jeana always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Thank you Jeana!

Jeff

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Jeff is always willing to jump in an help. Jeff was a huge help clearing out the pod and getting things set up in the new exercise room. Thank you Jeff!

Jessica Chinn 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Chinn does a great job motivating the kids to participate, and is quick on her feet and willing to adapt to a youth's needs in the moment. She respects the kids and believes in them and it shows 🙂

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Jessica always goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the youth enrolled in all of our programs. Her support doesn't stop when the leave our programs, she continues to help the youth well after they leave our programs. Many of the youth know Chinn is just a phone call away. She has helped so many youth in various ways throughout the years.

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Jessica does a great job meeting the needs of the youth in all of our programs. If there is a kid in need of any IL services Jessica is always there to help!

Jessica KF 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Jessica is the living embodiment of teamwork. Always willing to help out and does so with a smile. Both friendly and compassionate, she makes UMYH an amazing place to work!

Justin 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Justin is always willing to lend a helping hand. Justin helped cover shifts in Holder Home during our snow storm! Thank you Justin!

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Justin is always willing to help others out throughout all the departments. He does a great job building relationships with the youth in his classroom and the youth on campus. Thank you Justin!

Kelly 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Kelly has been at UMYH for over 20 years. In her time at UMYH she has worn many hats, most recently she has been wearing the Executive Director hat. In the past 10 years Kelly has been the Executive Director she has helped facilitate many agency changes. Kelly doesn't stop at good enough; she strives for the best. She wants the best for the youth we serve, the staff and the agency. In the past 10 years we have built two brand new group homes for the residents. Kelly's motto is that the residents’ group homes should be as nice, if not nicer, than our own homes. In addition to the new homes, several of our buildings have been remodeled and the Health and Wellness Building is currently being built. Kelly's dedication to improving is shown in many ways. She strives to understand the needs of our families and community. Kelly is a servant leader that focuses on integrity in all that she does. She is committed to providing quality care and services and is dedicated to helping others.

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Kelly always thinks about how we can make things better for the youth we serve and for everyone that works at UMYH!

Recognition Category: Integrity
Why: Kelly is an asset to this company and is always committed to doing what's best for all. Even though she has so much on her plate she is always cheerful and has a smile for everyone. She truly exemplifies the best of UMYH!

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Kelly does a great job of always thinking of ways to improve! She thinks about how we can do better for the youth and the staff. Thank you Kelly for keeping us moving forward and leading us in a positive way.

Kristin

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Kristin is committed to seeing her youth for therapy and helping them reach their goals. She is a team player and helps out where she can. Thank you Kristin!

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Since being an intern at UMYH, Kristin has shown her dedication to our youth and commitment to growing as a therapist. She is relentless when it comes to advocating for her clients and they are so lucky to have her on their side! She is focused on finding the good in everyone, clients and staff alike. Thanks for making us all laugh when we need it!

LaShawna 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: LaShawna is always friendly and quick to give you a smile that's genuine. She is personable, funny, and brings out the best in everyone. She is always quick to help out, makes you feel like family, and makes UMHY feel like home!

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: LaShawna has been helping cover shift in the residential program on top of her job duties. She has been helping out on 1st and 3rd shift! Thank you LaShawna, your teamwork is appreciated!

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: LaShawna does a great job connecting with all the youth that we work with. If LaShawna sees a youth on campus she is going to make them feel welcome and make a connection. Thank you LaShawna!

Recognition Category: Integrity
Why: For always being positive and welcoming to others!

Linda 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Linda is the first person to greet you with a warm and friendly smile. She does so many behind the scene things that keep UMYH running smoothly. She is truly a blessing to know!

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Linda handles the demands of her role while still being a steady support to everyone who walks into the office—from an upset youth, to a story-telling coworker, all the way to the medicine delivery guy. She consistently carries her weight and more, serving as a reliable anchor for the team.

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Mrs. Linda was the face that greeted me when I came to UMYH for the very first time in 2022 for my interview, and she is the face I continue to look forward to seeing every single morning that I come into the office & every evening when I leave. She is the warm smile, bright eyes, and motherly presence not just to all staff, guests, and visitors that enter the building each day—but, most importantly—to our kids who are in and out the door for appointments, therapy, truancy meetings, progress updates, etc. She makes them feel seen, valued, loved, worthy, and safe.
Mrs. Linda exhibits both the kindness and patience of a saint, and she always has an anecdote, joke, or cute YouTube video to show me that brightens my day when I pass reception. I honestly cannot picture anyone else sitting in that chair and being the face and spokesperson (not to mention guru of all things UMYH knowing every department phone number, staff name and role, functions of our online and phone systems, etc.) of this organization. She is a gem and a treasure, and regardless of how much time passes, I know I will never forget how much she lit up my time serving as Development Officer at UMYH.

Mallory

Recognition Category: Transparency
Why: Mallory meets youth where they are and communicates openly and honestly. She uses a flexible therapeutic approach that balances accountability with growth, rather than a one-size-fits-all style. She is transparent about youth needs and advocates effectively for them.

Maya 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Maya’s strong commitment to youth is evident in her consistency, fairness, and ability to hold the residents accountable while remaining approachable and supportive. Great job, Maya!

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Maya takes the time to get to know all of the youth we work with. She is kind, shows compassion and is patient with the youth. Thank you Maya for all that you do

Megan 1

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: I want to give a shoutout to Megan for her persistence and encouragement to BA! For almost a year she has stuck with him and kept him engaged in pursuing his education, and it paid off! Way to go Megan, what you do matters!

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Megan is truly so great to work with. Not only does she really care about the youth and will do whatever she can to walk alongside them on their journey, but she also has never even given the inkling that she was annoyed anytime I walked through her office for the fridge/microwave. Thank you Megan for being a great teammate!

Paige

Recognition Category: Safety
Why: Despite Paige still being new to her position and the agency, she handled a critical incident professionally. She exhibited the core value of safety by promptly reporting this incident, following protocol, and providing thorough documentation. Great job, Paige!

Regan 1

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Regan goes out of her way to make staff feel appreciated and valued, for example suggesting the staff group lunch 🙂

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: Regan has done a great job of jumping into her new role and taking initiative! Regan has volunteered to help Day Reporting in an upcoming trip to USI. Thank you Regan!

Sara

Recognition Category: Compassion
Why: Sara does a great job in her responsibilities day in and day out, year after year. Sara shows compassion to all of the youth! Thank you Sara!

Steve

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Steve has really jumped in since he has started! He's tackled so many projects on campus and was great with the volunteer group that came in a few weeks ago. Thank you Steve for your hard work!

Uriah 1

Recognition Category: Teamwork
Why: For being available and helpful to the Youth, when I'm not available.

Recognition Category: Commitment
Why: Uriah is great with the youth and always goes above and beyond to build good relationships and really get to know them in residential. He’s super positive, easy to work with, and always willing to jump in and help out when needed. He brings a great attitude to the team and is someone you can always count on.