06/01/2026
Each quarter, the UP team pauses to recognize the colleagues whose dedication, creativity, and compassion elevate everything we do. This edition, we celebrate four outstanding honorees whose contributions across two quarters reflect the very best of our mission and community.
Q1 — January 2026
Julie, Operations Director: Julie has been the quiet engine behind some of UP's most significant operational milestones this quarter — onboarding new case managers, supporting the new Executive Director's transition, leading a multi-month employee handbook review, and building a stronger, more collaborative case management team. Her attentiveness to people and processes ensures that everyone who joins UP feels welcomed and set up for success.
Quany, Security Specialist: Quany has been a steady, reliable presence in the shelter, ensuring that both clients and staff feel safe and supported every day. But this quarter he went further — advocating meaningfully for clients, ensuring their needs were heard and addressed, and proactively learning other shelter roles to strengthen the whole team. His initiative and care make the shelter a better place for everyone in it.
Q2 — April 2026
Trent, Client Support Specialist: Trent's commitment to the people we serve is reflected in every interaction. Their consistent presence and dedication to client well-being exemplify what it means to show up for our mission — not just in the big moments, but in the everyday work of creating dignity, connection, and hope for our guests.
Ryan, Shelter Manager: Ryan leads with quiet strength — a calm, grounding presence for both staff and clients, even in the most challenging moments. Through consistent leadership, clear boundaries, and genuine compassion, Ryan models what it looks like to hold a team together with both accountability and care. The shelter is a place of dignity and hope in large part because of the steady foundation they provide every single day.
