When Jennifer “Penny” Salmon works with people she focuses on the small – sometimes seemingly insignificant things – that communicate her authentic desire to make a positive impact in her career and in the community.
“Capturing the essence of how I interact with people and show that I care is a bit more difficult than listing achievements,” Salmon says, “but it is these interactions and the genuine spirit of compassion and caring behind them that I feel show my leader’s spirit.”
Salmon is a case manager with One Hope United, a national organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families through prevention, intervention and community-based support programs.
Salmon believes qualities of genuineness, optimism and compassion are what epitomize true leadership.
“Welcoming a new staff member and showing them the ropes, attending a client’s birthday party, asking a colleague if they are feeling better, apologizing for being late or forgetting to do something are what build true, lasting relationships and support an atmosphere of trust and respect,” Salmon says.
She lets others know she believes in them and teaches them to believe in themselves, and she considers her chosen career field to be her greatest achievement.
“(It) allows me the opportunity to do what I love and am passionate about — work with people and affect positive change,” she says.
Recently, she was chosen to participate on One Hope United’s Council on Accreditation Committee, and she volunteered to serve on the peer review committee as well.
Now, she’s setting her sights on becoming a licensed professional counselor, and she is finishing up the requisite provisional work to make it a reality. She’s also decided to pursue certification in substance abuse counseling.
Salmon is a certified Community Emergency Response Team member, and she’s involved in Partners for a Better Tomorrow, a collaborative monthly meeting that’s focused on sharing information and connecting individuals and families with community resources. She also volunteers through North Point Church, which she attends.
In 2009 alone, she participated and contributed to 12 community-run events addressing issues such as homelessness, hunger, illiteracy and spiritual emptiness.
“My plan for 2010 is to impact positive civic participation while also promoting personal health and wellness by leading teams to participants for at least four events,” Salmon says.[[In-content Ad]]
