10/19/2026
Mission Moment: You Get Us
Some of the moments that stay with us the longest are the ones we never see coming. For me, one of those moments happened when a few participants came up to me and said, “I’m glad you’re my boss because you get us.”
I don't think they realized how much those words meant to me. In that simple statement, I felt the trust we had built and knew that the participants I work with felt comfortable being themselves around me. It reminded me that being a supervisor is about so much more than keeping things running smoothly. It is about the people who show up every day, the relationships we build, and making sure everyone knows they have someone in their corner.
Working in laundry, I get to see participants put in the work, learn new routines, and take pride in what they accomplish. I have learned not to underestimate what someone can do when they are given the time, patience, and opportunity to show their abilities. Sometimes, all it takes is slowing down, listening, and approaching a situation with kindness to make a difference.
I see that determination in the everyday moments, too. When we introduced an additional laundry pickup time, the participants adjusted to the new schedule without complaint. On another day, I left to help out in a different area, knowing the participants I had been working with would be heading home early. When I returned, I found that all the linen had been washed and folded before they left.
That moment made my heart smile. They had taken responsibility for their work and followed through, and I felt so proud of what they had accomplished. It might seem like a small thing, but those are the moments that remind me how important it is to give people the chance to succeed. When someone is trusted and supported, they have the opportunity to show others what they are capable of.
The truth is, while I hope to make a difference in the lives of the participants I work with, they make a difference in mine, too. They remind me to be patient, to celebrate the little victories, and to never assume I know someone's abilities before giving them a chance. They have taught me that sometimes the most meaningful part of a job isn't what you accomplish in a day, but how you make the people around you feel.
I often think back to those words: “You get us.” More than anything, I want the participants I work with to know they are heard, respected, and valued. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me on the hard days, proud of themselves on the good days, and confident that someone believes in them through it all.
These moments matter. Because sometimes, changing a life doesn't begin with a big opportunity or a major accomplishment. Sometimes, it begins with taking the time to understand someone, recognizing what they bring to the table, and reminding them that they matter. And sometimes, the greatest reminder that you're making a difference is hearing it in three simple words: “You get us.”
