DIVISIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL AND OFFICERS PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SELF-CARE
Sometimes, the caregivers need to take care of themselves to continue to provide for others.
Such was the theme of this year’s Salvation Army Midland Divisional Social Services seminar, which was held April 20 through April 22, at Camp Mihaska, in Bourbon, Mo.
Classes and workshops for social services personnel and Salvation Army officers included beginner’s yoga, mindful meditation, being still, mental health first aid, and one titled “Even superheroes have bad days.”
Whereas the traditional social services seminar might focus on tools of the trade such as contract compliance, this DSS seminar focused on the wellbeing of the people giving the care.
“If we’re not in good shape, we can’t serve others,” Gary Busiek, Executive Divisional Social Services Director, said. “It’s another way we invest in our team. We can provide them with techniques to better serve others. We also have to give them techniques to serve themselves, to support themselves, to shore themselves up and be better equipped. We want to make sure we’re in the best shape we can be to deliver quality social services.”
The DSS seminar, the first one held in person since 2019, honored its long-serving personnel, including Family Haven’s Annie Rowe with 35 years, Midtown Service and Treatment Center's Kimberly Beck with 20 years, and St. Louis’ Busiek with 40 years, in addition to distinctions for employees with one, five and 10 years served.
Busiek, dressed in costume as Salvation Army mascot Captain Kettle, did not break character when honored for the 40-year milestone, while many in the room stood and applauded. As a mark of his selflessness to others, Busiek served ice cream to diners before the awards.
Honored for their service from regional centers were Amanda Bowen (Hannibal Service Center), Jeanette Keeler (Columbia Harbor House), Zoia Martin (Cape Girardeau corps), Sherida Miller (St. Louis Divisional Social Services), Akila Mukarramma (St. Louis Family Haven), Tamara Redden (Columbia Harbor House), Lynda Snuffer (Chillicothe Service Center), Adam Thiel (Alton Shelter) and Gloria Vaughn (Alton Shelter).
Relaxing activities included coloring books with crayons, candle-making, and strolls around the forested location, which has been used for decades as a summer camp for kids and retreat for Salvation Army functions.
“Social Services, sometimes it feels like we’re everything to everyone,” said Divisional Social Services Asset Manager, Nicole McKoy. “We take on a lot. Social Services does everything from disaster services to permanent housing, special needs, chronically homeless veterans, seniors, individuals who are low wage-earning. They have families. Trying to make space to accommodate all of that, sometimes we forget about ourselves. This year’s theme at the seminar is about self-care. I think this is a great way to take a step back and to really consider our own capacity pouring into our own cup and serving from our overflow. I think that’s the goal of self-care. It’s to fill ourselves up, and then we can serve everyone from the overflow when we feel capable.”
