At IRC, we know that our staff is our most valuable resource! Team IRC is made up of more than 770 professionals committed to providing excellent services to people with developmental disabilities. Each month, IRC staffers nominate their outstanding colleagues in our Employee Recognition program. This month, we are celebrating Marlen Palacios and Shondra Celestine!
Marlen and Shondra are both Consumer Services Coordinators. Our Service Coordinators meet with IRC clients and their families to understand their needs and goals. They then coordinate services and resources for clients as well as providing advocacy and support. Read on to find out more about these two outstanding staffers.
Marlen Palacios – Hercules Award Recipient
This month’s Hercules Award winner is Marlen Palacios. The Hercules Award is for IRC staffers who Employees who go above and beyond for the agency and often take on demanding projects! Marlen’s teammates nominated her for her solid work ethic, passion for the job, and her dedication to her clients. She takes on challenging cases and covers for her fellow Coordinators when needed. She’s even been known to meet with a client “at a moment’s notice” if they need her support! Her colleagues described her as “someone we can all learn from.”
We asked Marlen a few questions about her work here at the agency. This is what she shared.
What do you like most about your work at IRC?
I enjoy working as a Consumer Service Coordinator because it gives me the opportunity to help consumers and families. Helping my consumers is the best part, because the job itself is very rewarding.
What is your life like outside of work?
My time outside of work, I spend with my husband and three kids exploring different places. I also enjoy baking A LOT!
How do you think this award reflects your personality and work at the agency?
Helping out my families and doing my best is important to me! I always put my heart in everything I do. I would say the award does describe my personality. However, I do the work because it means so much to me.
Shondra Celestine – Positively Contagious Award Recipient
This month’s Positively Contagious staffer is Shondra Celestine! Positively Contagious award recipients are the shining lights of IRC, bringing a positive, uplifting attitude to the agency. Shondra’s kindness and respectful nature are evident in the relationships she has with her clients, IRC Service Providers, and her fellow staffers! She is focused, solution-oriented, and an example to others. Shondra establishes a high level of camaraderie amongst her colleagues and trust amongst her clients! Her energy is a wonderful part of the IRC family.
We asked Shondra a few questions to get to know her better! Here is what she shared with us.
What do you like most about your work at IRC?
My position here at IRC allows me to be able to do what I love to do, which is helping people reach their full potential. Our clients are loving and special. They deserve an opportunity to be happy and live life to the fullest. We are afforded the opportunity to help them do just that. I like being part of a team that is so supportive, encouraging, and ready to help each other with advice or ideas to make our consumer’s lives better.
What is your life like outside of work?
I enjoy learning about new and exciting things on any subject matter. I love to spend time with friends and family, and go to concerts. I especially love camping twice a year.
How do you think this award reflects your personality and work at the agency?
I think that this award reflects my personality. I feel good in knowing that I have helped my consumers and their families to the best of my ability. They help me to grow and become a better version of myself.
Congratulations Marlen and Shondra! You help make IRC a wonderful place to work!
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