January Fields

Dec 1, 2011

Dear January,

David Losinno said that SPIN was created 41 years ago by Ordinary people who did Extraordinary Things.  Fast forward to today and Mindy Lutts in her nomination letter said that “January has taught me that extraordinary people do extraordinary things that make SPIN an extraordinary agency”.    

In 2005, when Jackie was looking for a family to open their doors and their hearts, you were there and you and your family have supported Jackie through her challenges as well as her personal outcomes. In 2010 you joined SPIN’s workforce and have been an exceptional employee along with an outstanding lifesharing provider.   Your incredible positive spirit and resiliency led you to survive a tragedy that hit your family on Christmas day last year when your house was set on fire. However, you did not allow this personal tragedy to tear you down, your heroic strength enabled you to move forward and you never missed a day of work or a minute supporting Jackie.

January, your giving does not seem to have an end.  On a late Friday afternoon in August , SPIN received a call from Representative Denny O’Brien’s office that Valerie, a teenage girl  with an intellectual disability, sat in the waiting area of the emergency room of a Philadelphia hospital.  Her mother had been rushed there and there was no other family.  The hospital’s social worker searched for someone to provide care for her but there was no one. Her mother was admitted and an emergency placement was necessary.  We knew that you would again open your door and your heart as we asked you for a “favor” for Valerie to spend the weekend. 

You welcomed Valerie into your home and although a weekend became two months, your dedicated, caring efforts supported Valerie to begin a life transformation as you created a safe, warm, fun home environment for her to flourish.  You demonstrated how you believe in her and helped her to build confidence and hope for her future.  Valerie has moved into a new lifesharing home and her transition has been successful due to you and your families support and devotion.

Mindy additionally wrote so eloquently in your nomination that “When January said “yes” to a challenge presented, she did not hesitate. When faced with situations that were not expected, she continued to say “yes”.  When presented with the unusual, she said “It is all part of my job.”  January has taken her job and used it to teach us all some important lessons.  She has taught her daughter what it means to make a commitment and follow through, no matter how difficult.  She has taught our service delivery system that SPIN employees are exceptional and produce exceptional outcomes.  She has taught a mother to trust that people care and will do the best for her daughter”.      

January, your example of living SPIN’s Pillars, People First, Professionalism, Performance Excellence, and Productivity,  leads all of us to work harder, care more,  teach more, laugh and smile more and be more tomorrow than we are today. You live this every day and we can’t thank you enough for your extraordinary giving.

January, on behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, SPIN managers, your fellow colleagues, Jackie and Valerie, we are so very proud of you and congratulate you on this most deserving Employee of the Month Award for November, 2011.  Thank you for being an extraordinary person doing extraordinary things.

Sincerely,

Judith R. Dotzman
Executive Director