Employee of the Month: Angela Thompson
Our wonderful Lead THP Coordinator Angela Thompson is our selection for this month's Employee of the Month. Read on to learn more about why she wanted to work with EA Family Services, how she practices self care, and more!
What originally made you want to work with EA Family Services?
In 2006 my career path changed from bookkeeping in the local ag industry to staying home with my son and working part time as a teacher's aide. When he went to school I became a full time aide with our local community day school, working with troubled teens. It felt good to offer a helping hand, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I left the school district to manage a western wear store in Chico, and I was only there for a few months when an opportunity with EA surfaced. Although I wasn't necessarily looking for a new job, it found me and I knew it was meant to be. I was supposed to be helping young people.
What does your best day on the job look like?
My best day on the job is when I meet with a client and we click. It makes for a fun and productive day when the client and I can go apartment hunting, look at the pros and cons of a location, have a good conversation, and ultimately make the best decision for the client's future. Fast-forward to move-in day, and your client is so excited they do a backflip in their brand new living room, you know you've succeeded in making their day. That's a great feeling!
What do you wish people knew about working in your field?
We work with a lot of young people who are aging out of foster homes, group homes, and juvenile hall. At 18 years of age, most are given a clean slate to make a fresh start. A THP coordinator is usually the first face a new client sees at our agency, so we work hard to make a good impression. Every day can be a new adventure, whether it's dealing with a client or housing agency. It's never a dull moment, and most often it's very rewarding.
How do you practice self care?
I love music, so you might catch me signing along to just about anything on the radio. I also love musicals, so my iTunes library contains titles like Mama Mia, Pitch Perfect, Glee, and obviously, Grease. I use music to turn off the noise in my head, and as someone with ADD, it helps my brain to quiet down. I also enjoy reading, and when nobody is home I claim the TV for a little couch potato time. I also try to find time to visit the water, whether it's an ocean or the local river; water calms my soul.
What's something about you that would surprise most people?
I'm not sure how many people know that I'm an elected council member for the City of Biggs. I've sat on council for ten years and was just re-elected to my final term. The last two years I served as the Mayor, and just recently turned my role over to my highly-qualified successor in December.
Anything else you'd like to add?
EA Family Services is not just a company someone comes to work for, this is a family. I've had the opportunity and pleasure to work with amazing people. I'm thankful that I came to work with the company when I did. Not only have I benefitted from the connections I've made here over the years, but my own children became part of the family too through working with Camp Rockin' U (EA's amazing summer camp). Thank you for choosing me to be Employee of the Month, I'm so happy to be a part of the team!