Employee of the Month – February 2023
March 13, 2023
Gertrude Flomo was selected as Homeward Bound’s February 2023 Employee of the Month for her excellent care for and attention to the people who call Maple Grove home. Decontee Tenwah, Program Manager at Maple Grove, told us that “Gertrude is such a smiley person. She always makes sure e veryone is well taken care of. When she works with two people and sees that someone else needs help in the bathroom or needs assistance with eating, she doesn’t hesitate; she helps them with whatever they need.” Decontee also said that “it is important to Gertrude that the house is clean and feels like a home.”
The folks who live at Maple Grove look forward to Gertrude working, especially Mary. When Mary was told Gertrude was coming on Monday, Mary laughed. Mary was asked, “are you excited?” and she nodded yes with a big smile. One of the life-enriching things Gertrude does is spend time with each per-son in their room to organize their dresser and closet. She puts their clothes on their lap while she folds them, so they are a part of the process. Taylor loves this!
On nice days, Gertrude and Mary will go to get the mail together, which is something Mary looks forward to. Gertrude will also spend time outside, paint nails, and fix up any chipped polish so their nails look nice.
Caroline, Operations Administrator, told us that “Gertrude is known as ‘Mama Gertrude’ at the house. She said that Gertrude goes on walks when the weather is nice, reads everyone books, takes people to hair appointments, paints nails, and calls guardians. When the seasons change, Gertrude ensures the necessary clothing is available and stores away the items no longer needed for that season.” Caroline also said that “Gertrude is a very good role model.”
Gertrude joined Homeward Bound in October of 2001. When asked what she likes about working here she said that she loves people. She loves to help people. Before she came to Minnesota, she was a Nurse in Africa. She told us she does this job with her whole heart and treats people the way she wants to be treated. Something she does while she is at work is she tries to divide her time so she can have one on one time with each person. She feels deep compassion for the people she is caring for and she serves them with love.
Thank you for everything that you do, Gertrude!
Gertrude received a $1000 bonus and is a candidate for the 2023 Employee of the Year Award!
Homeward Bound’s Employee of the Month Program started in January 2023 by popular demand from staff who shared ideas and concerns with HBI management at the town hall meetings in Fall 2022. The selection process is done via blind voting to ensure that the winner is selected only for the exceptional life-enriching care they provide to people.
