Employee of the Month: Jamie Case, Lead Intake Coordinator
What originally made you want to work with EA? 
I started out as a case manager and saw how big the agency was and that there was opportunity to not only learn and grow my professional skill set, but to grow within the agency also. My heart has always been with at risk youth, so being able to come to work and be a consistent and safe person for young people—who most of the time did not have that previously—felt right.
Describe what your best day on the job looks like:
My best day is when I find a placement for a child or a family that you know was just meant to be. Whether it be for a short period of time or forever, that child brings something to that family that they need, and that family gives safety and love to that child when they need it most.
What do you wish people knew about working in your field?
There are so many wins. You often hear people say how challenging this line of work is, and there can be a lot of truth to that. But in this field you see some of the brightest days in a person's life too. I have seen so much healing happen in so many lives. I have seen graduations, young people landing their first job, kids conquering fears big and small, relationships built, families reunified and families created. There is light in so many places if you look for it.
How do you practice self care?
I control what I can control. I love cooking for my family as a nice decompression after a long day so that I can let my mind relax and be present for the rest of the evening. Also, I melt into my couch and watch cringe-worthy reality television, or get lost in a good book.
What's a hidden talent you have, or something about yourself that would surprise most people?
I love poetry. I wrote my first poem when I was in 5th grade and I was supposed to be doing class work...That poem ended up being published and won a couple of awards. I've been writing poetry ever since.