LEADERSHIP AWARD 2011:

Senait has articulately challenged the way decisions are made at Solid Ground and has helped improve the transparency of our agency’s decision-making process. And in the process, she has opened the eyes of her coworkers about seemingly subtle injustices and has helped pave the way for others to speak out. She is tireless in organizing and deserves to be recognized for her dedication, tenacity, ease with people, and fluency in the worlds of complex legislation.

LEADERSHIP AWARD 2011:

Joanna is a quiet leader at Solid Ground, and she exemplifies the mission of the agency in her integrity, compassion and creativity. She worked tirelessly at Broadview for almost 17 years, creating lasting relationships with community members and donors. She continues to do this important work at Brettler Family Place, where she is the sole Children’s Advocate for over 100 children – one of the most vulnerable populations Solid Ground works with. She works hard and efficiently and has positive relationships with staff. She is very much missed at Broadview; volunteers, clients and donors alike ask about her. Our programs would have fewer resources without her!

SERVICE AWARD 2011:

Alison has a most positive attitude and truly cares about her fellow staff and all the people who call needing assistance. I can’t tell you how many times a day I walk by and hear Alison giving excellent, very detailed advice on how to access rental assistance programs, eviction prevention programs or Family Shelter – and that is just the housing programs. She listens, interprets meanings and needs, provides resources, and conveys repeatedly that she cares. Alison sets a great example for volunteerism, including helping with Statewide Poverty Action Network’s phone bank. This year she committed to assisting and then teaching numerous Cooking Matters’ class series. Alison’s position is the face of Solid Ground in many ways; hers is one of the first faces seen and voices heard for most people coming to the agency. Her service in this position and in her many contributions to the agency have all had a positive impact on the agency. 

SERVICE AWARD 2011:

Kyla is caring and resourceful. She treats each person who comes to the front desk with dignity and calm, working to find what they need, or offering other options for help. Kyla handles hundreds of calls during the week – and the amazing thing is she does not lose her compassion. Kyla has taken on numerous jobs that provide help to anyone who comes to the agency. She has reorganized and kept current at least three notebooks full of community resources and knows how to access those resources. Kyla has volunteered for so many programs: Lettuce Link, Statewide Poverty Action Network, Community Voicemail and several programs in the Housing department. She is active in the agency’s Anti-Racism Initiative and has been a strong liaison between the agency Action Team and her Office Support Team. She is a member of the Black Affinity Group and the People of Color Group. It is easy to say that Kyla is just doing her job, but the way that she does it goes far beyond what can be described in a job description. 

RACIAL JUSTICE AWARD 2011:

Mayet has been an essential grounding force for the Solid Ground community during recent challenges and transitions. One of the things that makes Solid Ground so amazing is its insistence that we cannot just deliver services; it is just important to think about HOW we deliver services, and that we do it in a way that makes our communities stronger and in less need for day-to-day services. Mayet has brought that spirit of community organizing to her work at Solid Ground, and it’s hard to imagine where we would be today without her.