By hosting events like All Staff Day, held on September 19th, St. Louis Center hopes to improve the lives of everyone who steps foot on our campus.

Symbolic Recognition

According to a recent study by the Harvard Business Review, symbolic awards and interventions can significantly increase the intrinsic motivation, performance, and retention rates of an organization’s employees. This symbolic performance demonstrates an organization’s respect and appreciation for employees. The authors of this study mention that research suggests that employees in specific fields, such as non-profits, healthcare, and education, are motivated by working to impact others positively. Therefore, they place a high value on social recognition, meaning symbolic recognition is especially important to these individuals in the workplace.

All Staff Day

St. Louis Center strives to recognize its employees and impart immense appreciation whenever possible. Along with monthly “Montessori Moments” recognition in the staff newsletter, Village Voice, and “Employee of the Month, the upper management at St. Louis Center wanted to do more. As an initiative to take a day to celebrate every employee, “All Staff Day” came into existence in 2023. This year, St. Louis Center hosted another successful All Staff Day thanks to a committee comprised of individuals from each department who together planned this fun and empowering event.

This day is full of fun, as staff are served a continental breakfast provided by the Family Association, games, prizes, vendors, and lunch. All Staff Day also includes professional advancement opportunities. St. Louis Center wants its staff to have a day to let loose and relax, but it also wants these individuals to have several enriching and meaningful opportunities. This year, along with a couple of information tables in the gym, two rounds of different classes took place, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. St. Louis Center staff had the opportunity to attend courses about Financial Literacy, Dementia, and Beginning American Sign Language (ASL).

Our Goal

Ultimately, St. Louis Center wants every staff member to feel appreciated. With the use of recognitions and symbolic awards, SLC is enhancing its mission through the work of satisfied, and motivated employees. By improving their lives, these individuals can pour their efforts into St. Louis Center’s main goal, the residents.

At its core, St. Louis Center is a community for all abilities. It is a place where people from all over can come to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to live a joy-filled life with dignity. St. Louis Center is also a place where our residents can enrich the lives of those who work closely with them through their unique talents, personalities, and qualities. By hosting events like All Staff Day, SLC hopes to improve the lives of everyone who steps foot on our campus.