Beth’s Commitment to Excellence
This quarter’s Commitment to Excellence Award honoree is Beth Mead, a Team Lead with Alabama MENTOR. Our Commitment to Excellence Award recognizes employees in The MENTOR Network who make exceptional contributions to our Children & Families Services programs, and Beth has gone above and beyond in her work with Mentor foster parents and youth in care. Her positive outlook empowers her co-workers to make a difference every day and her expertise after more than 15 years in human services has made her an invaluable resource.
“Our work is emotionally heavy, but the strength of the foster parents and youth we work with is inspiring and motivating,” said Beth. “I am privileged to be a part of that. Instead of saying I am going to conquer today, I take it hour by hour. I try to model that and encourage others to take short sets of time to vent so they can put their energy into what they need to do to reach their goals.”
While her role requires a lot of management and administration, Beth always prioritizes building trusting and positive relationships with children. She encourages Mentor foster parents to use praise boards and illustrates ways to help children who have experienced trauma heal and thrive. She knows all the favorite foods of children in her care, cheers them on at sports games and supports their interests and dreams. With Beth, Mentor foster parents are able to carefully work out solutions to any problems that arise with her guidance.
“Beth’s positive impact on others goes beyond her work into her private life where she promotes love, friendship, equality, and charity towards others,” said Alan Spettel. Alan is a Quality Improvement Specialist at Alabama MENTOR and nominated Beth for the Commitment to Excellence Award.
In Mobile, Beth and her team created a creative project for adolescent girls served by Alabama MENTOR for Valentine’s Day to boost their self-esteem and help them build the strength they need. Four girls planned to write several cards for women in a local homeless shelter. They ended up writing 75 emotional letters. “The messages were very eye opening, positive and heartfelt,” said Beth. “We didn’t get that from them in the day-to-day home visits, but we get that in these pro-social endeavors. Their own sense of self and purpose shines through acts like these.”
Beth delivered the letters to the shelter personally and the response was overwhelming.
“When I brought the letters to the shelter and the women read them they were in tears,” she said. “It gave them purpose – they wanted to share their own experiences.” Beth has been motivated by the success of her first endeavor and plans to expand monthly projects for more of the youth served by Alabama MENTOR.
“This job has taught me that compassion is infinite,” shared Beth. “We are the people they can depend on to never give up on them. I am proud to be part of a company that cultivates positive change. Our purpose is why I do what I do.”