The Elizabeth Lund Employee of the Year for 2017 is Tammy Santamore. Tammy is the Parent Child Center Coordinator. Tammy was celebrated for her hard work and her unwavering commitment to the women, children and families at Lund. “This year’s employee of the year not only deserves this award but has earned this award,” said Courtney Farrell, Director of Child and Family Services (pictured on right) who presented Tammy with the award at the all staff retreat on 11/10. “She has earned it because in each day for the past 14 years, she wasn’t working for recognition. She does this work because she believes in building up women, children and families, and creating supportive community. She believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed, and she believes in the coworkers she supports in doing this work.”
Tammy was also described as a team player in every aspect of the phrase, amazing spirit, dynamic personality and a true asset to the entire agency and community. It is nearly impossible to imagine Lund without Tammy.
Read on to learn more about Tammy and her work at Lund.
What is your job at Lund?
My job is to support families in becoming self-sufficient through engagement in high school completion, post -secondary education and vocational training, paid employment, internship and volunteer placements. As well as to foster supportive transitional housing so that they can be ready to live independently in their community. To support families in being intentional about their sexual and reproductive health and the choices they can make as families. In addition, most recently to support families in our Kids-A-Part program in having contact with their children and supporting caregivers so that they can get what they need to ensure children thrive.
How long have you been in this role?
I have been at Lund for 14 years and I have collaborated with all of the programs that I now supervise over the 14 years. I have grown in my position in my time here, which is something I really value in my work and about Lund. Parent Child Center Coordinator is a new title but the work is not new.
What is your background before Lund?
I don’t know that there is a time before Lund! But Before Lund I went to undergrad at Castleton and I have a degree in Psychology with a Forensics concentration. Then I went to Trinity. I have a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health focusing on children and families. I was the last graduating class at Trinity though we did not know it at the time. Before coming to Lund, in the social work field, I worked for Spectrum. I was a therapeutic case manager and a foster care and residential mentor recruiter. I was there for about 3 years before I came here to be a Reach Up Case Manager and then grew into my current position over the past 14 years.
How do you feel about winning the EOY award?
I was certainly not expecting to win the award. I am definitely proud of my work and the work that I do with clients so it feels great to be acknowledged by hearing the client’s words about the impact my work has on their lives and families. I think that there are many other people who do really hard work who deserve the recognition as well, and I would not be able to work in the capacity that I do without my team in NHEP, Reach Up, IP, and KAP!
What is your favorite/most rewarding thing about your work?
There are so many aspects of this work that I find rewarding but the most moving is when clients are able to believe in themselves and their capacity as much as we do as their providers.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to travel, cook, read, do arts and crafts, and enjoy living in Vermont.
Congratulations Tammy on your well-deserved award and for working every single day inspiring women, changing lives, loving babies, overcoming challenges and doing it all with tenacity, grace and a huge, trusting heart.
