Guest Column by Erin Haag

 

Recently, my daughter came tearing around the corner, yelling as she went. “There’s caterpillars on our porch! Real caterpillars! In a box!” Every day, my children expertly check their butterfly kit to watch the caterpillars. They can’t wait for them to emerge as beautiful butterflies.

If there’s one lesson that everyone knows, it’s that life changes. In our workplaces, in our community and in our homes. Albert Lea is going through a season of change. City Hall, Department of Human Services and United Way of Freeborn County all have said goodbye to familiar faces and are welcoming new.

It might seem daunting at times and overwhelming for those who are accustomed to the familiar.

With every season of change though, it’s important to remember what’s on the other side: a new season, a breath of fresh air and butterflies.

Ultimately, the face and voice of United Way is our community. The best way to have your voice heard is to get involved. Opportunities exist for volunteering on our board or for our events. If that’s not the right fit for you, I welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with you. Just call the office and make a coffee date. I’ll have tea in my mug.

Until that coffee date, look for our bi-weekly column. We’ll be introducing you to new and familiar faces of United Way, our agencies and the programs that provide our community with a better quality of life.

United Way is gearing up for the campaign season. We welcomed two new board members, April Jeppson and Amanda Buchannan. Many of the Tribune’s readers will be familiar with April’s self-proclaimed “punch you in the face with positivity” from her column. United Way is positive she’ll bring some laughter and energy to our board.

Amanda Buchannan is an advocate for the special needs community, and has a passion for becoming involved. Both bring valuable skill sets to our board and are enthusiastic about our community. A more indepth profile will be coming soon!

We’re also hoping to add new faces to our team. United Way has a part-time position of office manager available for 15 to 20 hours a week.

For those seeking more of a full-time position, read on about another opportunity with the Senior Resource Center. While their open position is part time, it is possible to apply for both the Senior Resource Center and for the United Way position. Our agencies share the Vitality Center, allowing us the ability to be creative and think outside the box when it comes to staffing. We encourage interested parties to reach out and have a conversation with us! 

The Senior Resource Center of Freeborn County is in the Vitality Center in downtown Albert Lea. Senior Resources has a variety of programming geared towards Albert Lea’s biggest demographic: seniors aged 60 or older. One popular service that they provide is that of Chore Services. The Chore Service Program is exactly that: helping seniors with maintaining their home by having their lawns mowed and cared for, snow removal and window washing in single-story homes. The ability to keep up with these chores is often a barrier for seniors to stay in their homes. By removing this worry for them, Senior Resourcesis helping them stay active, independent and participating members of our community.

It takes work to provide these services. Senior Resource Center is currently seeking a part-time manager to help coordinate the contractors and volunteers who invest their time and efforts into this program. The position is 15 to 20 hours a week, with varied office hours. Interested parties can contact Jackie Hillman at 507-377-7433 for more information or to apply.

Don’t forget that coffee date.

Erin Haag is the interim executive director of the United way of Freeborn County.