By JOY VANN | Correspondent
August 14, 2023 at 6:12 a.m.
Midsize companies, ranked No. 21
Making its first appearance on the Top Workplaces list is The Up Center, a Norfolk-based child and family services nonprofit that serves more than 10,000 people annually.
Its professional staff offers a variety of services, including mental health counseling, youth mentoring, foster care and adoption and support for people with disabilities. The organization was established in 1883 as Norfolk United Charities, and after several mergers and iterations, the name was changed to The Up Center in 2008.
President and CEO Tina Gill said that employees love working at The Up Center because they all share the same commitment to the organization’s mission, which is to “partner with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention and support services.”
Devotion to that mission, she said, creates a cohesive culture that is innovative, inclusive, evidence-based, creative and community-responsive.
“Our team here has one common thread — and the reason why people love working here is the mission of the organization and their commitment to the organization,” she said.
Gill said employee recognition is another part of the culture that’s expressed in different ways, such as hosting social gatherings, allowing flex schedules and publishing newsletters that celebrate a job well done.
“Our team here has one common thread — and the reason why people love working here is the mission of the organization and their commitment to the organization,” she said.
Gill said employee recognition is another part of the culture that’s expressed in different ways, such as hosting social gatherings, allowing flex schedules and publishing newsletters that celebrate a job well done.
She said that because working in family and social services can be stressful and lead to burnout, The Up Center puts a premium on a healthy work-life balance with a generous leave policy that promotes the use of personal and mental health days. Additionally, she said, all roles are established to allow employees to complete their work within a standard 40-hour workweek.
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About the organization
Address: Headquarters: 150 W. Boush St., Ste. 500, Norfolk; 222 W. 19th St., Ghent; 1805 Airline Blvd., Portsmouth;109.5 Clay St., Suffolk; Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic: 828 Healthy Way, Suite 105, Virginia Beach
Phone: 757-965-8683
Website: theupcenter.org
Top executives: Tina Gill, president and CEO; Andrea Long, chief program and strategy officer; Joan Weaver, chief financial officer; Christina Slater, human resources officer; Tristan Carter Warren, chief development officer
Employees: 130
Benefits include: Health insurance (FSA and HSA accounts available), dental, vision, long-term disability, employee assistance, life insurance, 403(b) with employer contribution and generous annual, sick, and holiday leave as well as a personal day. Additional options include legal resources, short-term disability, pet insurance, accident insurance and additional life insurance.
Fun factor: We take time to celebrate our wins and take time together as a full agency several times per year to continue to learn, grow and be increasingly a force multiplier in our community.
Community service: Our 22 programs support our community in a variety of ways across Hampton Roads. Individuals, families and children are supported by our programs including early childhood intervention and parent education, fatherhood engagement, doula services, housing and financial counseling, representative payee services, adoption and foster care, support for adults with disabilities, mentoring and outpatient mental health counseling for children, families and adults, including our military-connected community members.
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View the full story on Inside Business’s website at: https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/08/14/inside-business-top-workplaces-2023-the-up-center/
