What Works for Us: Workplace Culture at LIFT

We often say that a career in human services, especially youth-focused human services, is both “hard work and heart work”.

Working alongside tweens and teens is incredibly rewarding, and at times, it can also be incredibly demanding. Your listening ears are always on, your name gets called more times than you can count in a single afterschool session, and you pour A+ energy into creating safe, engaging spaces and activities five days a week.

Because we take that reality seriously, we know how important it is to practice healthy boundaries and strategies so we’re never operating on, or close to, empty. Below are five things that work for us at LIFT:

1. Keep work and home separate the best you can

Keep a specific piece of apparel (shoes, a sweater, or a jacket) at the office or school. When you put it on, it’s your signal that you’re “on”. You are ready to listen, ready to problem-solve, and ready to be fully present.

When the work day is done, that item stays behind. It doesn’t come home with you - doesn’t even come to the car. Leave the emotions, responsibilities, and mental to-do lists with it. Having a physical representation of the separation between work and home can be incredibly beneficial to overall wellness.

2. Plan appropriately, and plan ahead

One of the best ways to avoid burnout is to look and plan ahead, both inside and outside of work.

Is there a week next month packed with major programming days, multiple meetings, and a handful of personal commitments? Anticipating those busier periods of time allows for solutions and schedule changes without any panic. There is always room for flexibility, so we encourage team members to make adjustments as needed (and with as much notice as possible) so schedules remain manageable.

3. Communicate often and honestly

At LIFT, employees meet with their direct supervisor on a weekly basis and come together for an all-staff meeting every four to six weeks.

These touchpoints do more than help us stay on top of responsibilities and workloads, they also help us build strong relationships with one another. Strong relationships make it easier to share when life feels heavy, and make it easier to notice abnormal behaviors in a teammate who may be needing extra support.

4. Keep programming fun for participants (!)

One of the biggest and most youth-centered ways to prevent burnout in the afterschool setting is to create programming that students genuinely enjoy.

Knowing your specific student population, and planning activities with their interests in mind, can make a huge difference in how you feel planning, executing, and wrapping up a programming day. It takes trial and error to discover favorites, but a classroom or field trip full of engaged, excited participants is one of the most energizing and cup-filling parts of this work.

5. Recognize that mental health days are sick days

At LIFT, employees are able to use sick time for mental health days just as they would for physical illness, and the philosophy behind it is simple; mental health matters just as much as physical health. 

By acknowledging and practicing that belief, we show both our team members and our participants that care before crisis matters, and that when difficult moments do arise, they are part of an organization that will support them.