STAFF DEVELOPMENT - A PRIORITY
The Merced County Rescue Mission recognizes our staff as a valuable resource. The staff sustains an excellent program that provides hope and an opportunity for life change for people experiencing homelessness or hopelessness. Because we believe in our staff and recognize their value, it is our desire to invest in them and provide development opportunities that will enhance their skills, their personal effectiveness and prepare them for future opportunities both within the Mission and beyond. Praise and encouragement for jobs well done are basic components in staff development. Many people on our staff have come from backgrounds where they were abused and put down and, as a result, have lost confidence and faith in themselves. For the 90 percent of our staff members who have gone through our programs, the ACE Overcomers class, which helps participants deal with adverse childhood experiences, has been a significant help in facing past trauma. Building our staff up and helping them to believe in themselves and to develop confidence in their own skills and abilities is extremely important in our work with each other. It is encouraging to see people who have been down and out rising up and take control of their lives as they turn their attention to helping others. Many of our staff members are so grateful and excited about what God has done in their lives that they are enthusiastic about helping others to experience what they have received.
Educational opportunities are also of great importance in staff development. In some cases, helping our staff earn their G.E.D. has proved to be a real step forward. Others on our staff have enrolled at Merced College where some have received an AA degree, and some are still in process. Staff who work in the Senior Meals program receive help in getting their “Serve Safe” certification. This certification allows staff members to serve food and is not only important for retaining employment but opens doors for jobs throughout the food industry. Thirteen members of our staff have enrolled in CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals). Seven have completed the program and six are in process. The CCAPP program is a 14-month long program where participants attend 6 hours every Saturday. The CCAPP program provides a credential recognized by the State of California and those who complete the program are certified as Alcohol and Drug Counselors. In addition to the classroom time, participants in this program must complete 3,000 hours of supervised field practicum.
Some time ago the Mission’s Board of Directors made the decision to invest in our staff by financially helping them enroll in the CCAPP program. We are excited to announce that in August the Mission received a grant that will help cover the costs for staff to receive the CCAPP credentialing as Peer Support Specialists. These grants are invaluable as they make it possible for the Mission to continue encouraging and also financially supporting staff members to progress in their own professional development. During the past two months, you have read 24 testimonies from staff members expressing how God has changed their lives. These are the people the Mission wants to continue investing in and developing. As a Mission, we know that God has brought people to us to transform and mold into His image. As we make staff development a priority, we not only strengthen individuals, but we strengthen the Mission as a whole.
