Longshore

Dec 1, 2016

November 28, 2016

Dear Edith, Beth, Sophia, Tiffany, Lisa, Shante, Aja and Rhoda

It is often said that in going through adversity we find our greatest strengths. It is also true that when we go through life’s challenges nothing helps more than having caring people around us. The Longshore team has survived adversity and grown stronger together this past year.  You are living this philosophy of life that can help us all.

Each of you has played an important role in supporting Carole, Anna and Lauren to live their best life this past year. When Lauren graduated from the BHU to the Longshore CLA in May, the transition presented many challenges. You came together and collaborated with your Assisting Director, Denise to identify how to best support the ladies in a way that was most beneficial to each of them and which helped them to get along with one another.

According to your nominator, and Director, Frank Margerum when Lauren moved in it was a very exciting time for her, but also a big change for Carole and Anna who were used to living as a duo.  It didn’t take long for this dynamic team to start planning day trips, evenings out, and parties at home. You are always putting Carole, Anna, and Lauren’s needs first and ensuring they are living full, happy lives. Currently, the Longshore Team is supporting the ladies during their weight loss challenge; which hasn’t been easy because everyone loves chocolate! This incredible team has taken the initiative to help make healthy meals and you don’t bring any unhealthy food of your own into Longshore! You support increased exercise including walks after meals and taking Lauren to the gym. You have truly become great role models for Carole, Anna, and Lauren in striving to live healthy lifestyles.

On July 29th, you all experienced a horrible event; the tragic loss of your dear team member, Joyce. This was a truly devastating time for all of you, but you found a way to come to work, put on a smile, and reassure Carole, Anna, and Lauren, their lives weren’t interrupted while as a team you held back tears and emotions. You all came together to think of the most caring and supportive way to break this terrible news to Carole, Anna, and Lauren.  That day your commitment to the ladies emotional needs was evident to everyone involved.  You demonstrated love and support and “People First” commitment to the ladies as you always do. During this painful time, the wonderful Longshore Team continued to do what you do best, help the ladies grieve through this process and feel truly supported. Your strong and courageous support has been critical to the full team’s journey of healing. You each were an integral member of the SPIN United Coalition participating in the planning and implementation of our Domestic Violence Awareness Month’s activities. Your brave, united testimony provided strength and healing to others. Your generous acts of kindness and the courage it took for this team to do “Performance Excellent Work” in a time of great adversity says it all!

When you look up the word Team in the dictionary, we believe strongly you’re your names, Edith, Beth, Sophia, Tiffany, Lisa, Shante, Aja and Rhoda, the fabulous Longshore team should be written as there is no doubt that this team is the true definition. Phil Jackson said “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Each of you, all of you have unique and individualized skills, gifts and talents - together you are a masterpiece!

On behalf of SPIN’s Corporate Board, the management team, your colleagues and especially Carole, Lauren and Anna, congratulations to the outstanding Longshore team for being awarded SPIN’s Team of the Quarter for the summer of 2016! We admire and deeply appreciate each of you and all that you do!

Warmest Regards,

Kathleen Brown McHale
President & CEO