It’s easy to spot which office belongs to Sharon Sparkes – just look for the one with all the stuffed animals. A bunny, a cat, and a sheep sit in the front window. Two fluorescent yellow and orange donkeys rest on her computer, sharing space with a larger stuffed sheep. Add the lion next to the printer and yet another sheep hanging from the wall, and Sharon’s office is almost as inviting as a toy store.
Some of these furry friends were gifts from fellow employees, and some Sharon provided herself. “I like to decorate my office in hopes of brightening the day for my coworkers,” she says.
And it usually works. EDEN employees and management recognize not only Sharon’s love of animals but her big heart and gentle nature. Combine those qualities with her work ethic, and the choice to name her July’s employee of the month was clear.
A Smooth Transition
As a Shelter Plus Care eligibility specialist, Sharon juggles a case load of more than 450 clients. Her responsibilities include meeting with tenants for annual recertifications, assisting clients in the moving process and handling about 40-50 calls every day. She also works closely with Mental Health Services on the SRA program.
EDEN was able to reopen the Shelter Plus Care application process last spring, which means Sharon and the other eligibility specialists worked especially hard to accommodate the several hundred additional tenants. Sharon took these changes in stride and also assumed increased responsibilities.
In addition to all her hard work, Sharon was chosen for the employee of the month award because of her patience when working with tenants and outside agencies. She’s always ready to accept challenges and make difficult decisions. She also helped train new employees and facilitated a smooth transition during a time of staff changes.
“I was really grateful the management team feels I’m benefiting the agency,” she says of the award.
A Supportive Atmosphere
When Sharon’s not at work, she loves spending time with Devi, the plump black-and-white cat she adopted several years ago. She’s also active in her church and recently returned from a trip to Poland.
But when it comes to EDEN, Sharon’s favorite part of the job is hearing success stories. For example, she might meet with a tenant who overcame an addiction and homelessness to maintain his own housing unit. At those moments, Sharon is glad her work makes a difference.
Sharon says she loves EDEN’s friendly, supportive atmosphere. She also appreciates her fellow coworkers, the good benefits and, of course, whenever one of her stuffed animals can brighten someone’s day.
