Lulu Fraiser

Dec 1, 2016

November 29, 2016

Dear Lulu,

It was a hot summer day in July of 1990 and I remember first meeting a new employee - a young, feisty go getter Alura Lulu Grant.  With a sparkle in her eye, Lulu began her journey at SPIN and began sharing her skills, gifts and talents as a highly competent Direct Support Professional.  It was so easy to see that Lulu was driven – driven to connect with the people she supported, driven to realize her goals, driven to be the best she could be AND Lulu created wonderful relationships all along the way. All you needed to do was spend some time with Lulu and Michael or Lulu and Warren and you understood what true magic really was.

Mario Andretti said “Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”

Lulu, there is no doubt this quote is talking about you and your goals and success! I also remember the day in 2000 when we held our first meeting with Community College of Philadelphia and you walked into the NCC theatre scared but excited about the opportunity to attend college! You were the star student in the SPIN on site cohort and you were the ambassador for SPIN employees to begin their personal and professional development.  You accelerated your studies and again with your driven determination completed your Associates Degree and said “What’s next?” So, we started an onsite Bachelor’s Degree and you again accelerated yourself to receive your Bachelor’s degree not without asking “What’s next!”

What was next for you Lulu was stepping up and out to realize your career goals.  As much as we knew we would miss your excellence in Direct Support, we were so excited to welcome you in 2012 to Health Services as a Medical Care Coordinator.  Your expertise was quickly recognized, your strengths identified and certainly utilized. What an asset you were to the Health Services team!

But your next career opportunity was literally around the corner!  In 2013 a need arose for a Client Funds Bookkeeper and Rachel was asked to interview you.  She was very impressed with your caring nature and deep concern for the individuals you supported throughout your years at SPIN. Although you did not have a bookkeeping background you were willing to take on the challenge. No task is too great for you.  You and Rachel, and Mary quickly formed a bond and lovingly nicknamed yourselves as “The Powerpuff Girls”.

Your nominating team of Finance management and fan club boast that “you spend time with Lifesharing providers to help them understand the finances of the individuals and also the calculation on the monthly Comcast bills. You oversee the finances of nearly 125 people in our service. This includes recording the monthly benefit and everyday expenses for each person. Each person has two bank accounts that need to be reconciled monthly.  Every day brings new challenges, making sure money is spent properly and receipts are gathered, verified and safely stored with each person’s financial records.”

In Addition, you have taken the time helping to train two interns over the summer in addition to your own workload. Luckily, one of these interns has since decided SPIN was a right fit for him and became a full time employee.

Not only do you offer incredible support to the people in SPIN’s care and their staff but you are there to offer tremendous support to one of your fellow coworkers. This includes rides to doctors’ appointments, spending a Sunday afternoon in the hospital visiting, bringing over meals to help with a quick recovery, and daily contact via phone calls and texts. Your generosity is such an example to all.

LuLu, you demonstrate SPIN’s Pillars each and every day – always have, always will!  Your leadership, expertise and kindness has been a legacy throughout your incredible career and we can’t wait to see “What’s Next!”

I have been told that There are many busy days where the ladies in client funds try juggling the many tasks that need to be completed and could end their day with the quote, “So once again, the day is saved. Thanks to the Powerpuff Girls!”

On behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, management team, your colleagues and the many people you have and do support through your expertise and acts of loving kindness, we congratulate you on this most deserving Employee of the Month award for December, 2016.

Lulu, there is no doubt that your “Desire is the key to motivation, and your determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - enables you to attain the success you seek and so rightly deserve!

With Deepest Congratulations and Appreciation,

Judith Dotzman
Executive Director