CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES “JR” ROBERTSON THE 2016 PRESIDENT’S AWARD WINNER!
JR is the Lead Program Aide for the Youth Night Campus program in Rochester. He was honored at Thursday’s Family & Children’s Center’s board meeting where his full nomination was read and he was presented with a personalized President’s Award padfolio. JR spoke to the board about why he works at FCC and the impact it has made on his life. In addition to the padfolio, he will also receive $250 towards training and $100 value of FCC apparel. JR was nominated unanimously by his program supervisors, directors and co-workers for the President’s Award; see his full nomination below.
Congratulations JR, and thank you for your loyal dedication to FCC and the Rochester community.
You are truly an inspiration to all of those around you.
What was the staff member’s contribution that compelled you to make this nomination?
James “JR” Robertson is the embodiment of the FCC Value of Respect and Excellence. As the Lead staff at YNC Rochester he has displayed and taught our clients respect as well as shown excellence by being a great team leader. He has been innovative in meeting with community business leaders and accessing donated services for our youth including opportunities for sports, leisure activities and food. In James’ words, he offered the businesses an opportunity to have a “slice of the YNC greatness.” James regularly meets with clients at their school for no other reason than to connect with them, have lunch and remind them that someone cares. He motivates staff and clients on a daily basis through humor, pep talks and example. James goes above and beyond to connect and build relationships with staff members leading to an overall feeling of importance to the program. Youth Night Campus is run with staff members working together to create an environment of integrity and respect, and James is a leader in modeling these components to staff and clients. He is also a great group skills leader, presenting learning material for clients that is fun and relatable for their age group. It’s hard to really put into words the affect that James has on the program. A lot of times we nominate staff who embody what “we” want to be, or what we want “FCC” to be, but James embodies what so many of our clients can become. And that’s the true story of hope and healing and he brings to the table. I am so pleased, and honored, that JR continues to work for FCC. He is a powerful force in his community.
What makes this contribution stand out from other great things that happened at FCC this past year?
Although a lot of great things have happened at FCC this past year, James has been a living example of how a person can overcome life challenges and succeed. As a youth, James experienced being raised in a single parent home, he survived being separated from his family during Hurricane Katrina – a selfless choice he made due to limited space on busses out of the area thus allowing his youngest brother to take his place and remain with the family-, he survived being homeless as a teenager and becoming a teen parent himself. Through all of this his spirit continued to thrive and he never gave up hope. He is currently happily married with two beautiful children, will graduate from college with his AA degree this May, has been accepted to Winona State University and believes he is capable of getting a Master’s Degree in Social Work (something he never dreamed of in the past). He volunteers throughout the community and is always ready to lend a helping hand to others. Although someone looking in from the outside may not see the greatness overtly, it is there. James gives our clients at YNC something they can carry with them for a lifetime… Hope and the knowledge that there is nothing that can’t be overcome with perseverance.
As specifically as possible, describe the impact this had for a client, program, purchaser or the community.
The clients YNC Rochester works with are Caucasian (37%) and African American (22%) followed by clients of African Nation origin (13%), Bi-racial (10%), Hispanic (9%) and Asian Nation origin (9%). The majority of the clients come from backgrounds that include poverty, single parent homes, parental drug use, and lack of a male role models. Many are first or second generation immigrants from countries across the world trying to assimilate into American culture. Clients have repeatedly stated that they look up to James because he came from similar circumstances and “made it.” They also feel that he has a deep understanding of their culture and needs. Many clients have privately told me that they wish he was their father.
Within the community of Rochester, James volunteers his time as a one on one youth mentor to an African American male, he is active at Riverside Elementary School Playground Superstars program which has adult males interact/play at recess with children who would otherwise have no contact with an adult male role model, he volunteers with his church, volunteers with Sports Mentorship Academy helping troubled teens find their untapped potential, and still seems to have time to help out colleagues. Although he gives so much of himself, he always makes his own family his priority and seems to be able to balance it all effortlessly.
How does this contribution symbolize FCC’s Mission, Vision and Values?
The contribution James has made to the program symbolizes so many of the FCC values but I think it specifically speaks to the Value of Respect: We treat all people with Courtesy, Thoughtfulness, Honesty and Kindness. These value words describe James but he is so much more to all he has touched.
Congratulations to JR and all of our 2016 President Award Nominees.