CHI - Friendship

At the annual Spring Gala, the people we support and other members of the community came together for a night of music and dancing. Since 1999, CHI Friendship and several other community organizations have come together to host a Spring Gala. This year's event was held on May 1. Attendees put on their nest formal wear and enjoyed the evening with tunes and food. A DJ provided the music, while attendees were welcome to take their turn behind the table and request their favorite songs. With a beautifully decorated space and plenty of room to move, all in attendance had a great time. ONE IDEA, WIDE EFFECTS Jennifer Hooey at the Life Skills & Transition Center originally had the idea to coordinate a dance 17 years ago. Thanks to her vision, we have the Spring Gala, as well as the Halloween dance every fall. Planned with a committee of people from CHI Friendship and other community agencies, the Spring Gala offers a chance for attendees to make lasting memories. "Many of us go to or are a part of weddings, and getting to dress up and celebrate makes us feel good," said Stacey Maurstad, RN, with CHI Friendship. "This event brings that joy to the lives of people we serve. It's a popular event every year, and it enriches the lives of everyone who participates." To learn more about social events at CHI Friendship, visit chifriendship.com. Lead Chef Je Pederson (also President of CHI Friendship) and his co-chefs in the Senior Management team were at it again this year! They cooked pancakes and sausages for more than 400 CHI Friendship sta members at multiple department meetings over a four-month time frame. "The purpose of these breakfasts is more than just food," said Dori Leslie, Vice President of CHI Friendship. "It's a time of reection and coming together as a team, and it reiterates the purpose of why we work here." During this annual event, called "Core Values Breakfasts," meaningful discussions take place on the importance of CHI Friendship's Core Values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence. One of the highlights on this year's agenda was sta sharing Sacred Stories about how our Core Values are being implemented throughout daily service delivery. Many of the stories included sta who go above and beyond their expected duties, how we continue to provide the best health, safety, and welfare services possible, and about the people we support achieving their goals and dreams. "The breakfasts we served are only a small token of gratitude for what our sta does on a day-to-day basis," Pederson said. "It is reassuring to have such wonderful sta who truly care and live our Core Values." Spring in Your Step Serving Sta, Sharing Stories CHI FRIENDSHIP /// www.chifriendship.com 3

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