What is the name of the business you are nominating?
LOGAN Community Resources, ALC SWMI
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
It’s a non-profit, Kristin Wier is Senior Director of Clinical Operations, and David Eisenhart is the Clinical Director.
Business Contact Information
1651 E Nickerson
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 876-5697
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
For SWMI, approx 110. As an overall, interstate non-profit, approx 400-500
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
This nonprofit assists Autistic individuals and their families with a multidisciplinary approach. The staff approach each client as a unique individual, appreciating the fact that they are each unique.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
Kristin and the leadership of LOGAN have cultivated a culture of caring in a professional manner. They foster creative solutions with a strong focus on ethical and evidenced based practices. Working as a team is the only way to thrive, as we have multiple disciplines within our team, always eager to work together to benefit our clients.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
The culture created here is one of the many motivators for staff to continue pouring into each other and the clients. The work we do really can be emotionally rewarding, watching clients reach their own goals and expand their skills and confidence.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Google or Indeed. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
What a great place to work! LOGAN cares about its clients, employees, and community. They give 110% every day.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
1. Caring
2. Trustworthy
3. Committed
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
– Ability to read minds – understanding verbal and nonverbal communication from our clients and their families
– Precognition – by focusing on understanding motivations and patterns, we get really good at predicting how someone will act/react.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? During the COVID lockdown, David created the Positivity Train, which has included things like weekly trivia competitions, meme’s on update emails, and so much more. This has continued long after the virtual necessity was there.
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? The leadership has verbally, physically, and financially shown support for new and creative approaches to helping our clients. This includes creating programming for the Young Adult population that is not currently supported by insurance reimbursements.
C] Keep communications open? We have teams that are in the building and in the community. Multiple strategies are in use to make sure everyone is on the same page. Kristin and David, as well as Josh Diehl (Chief Program Officer) have an open-door policy (Josh also has a weekly virtual meeting for connecting with all staff who wish to speak with him).
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
When the pandemic hit, and we were unable to physically interact with clients for a significant period of time, Kristin was in the center daily working far more than a full time job should ever be. The leadership team held many live conversations with all SWMI staff to keep open communication. We were able to utilize virtual options to support clients as best as possible through unprecedented strategies, and were able to return to in-person services (with several adjustments) before most therapeutic interventions were. This was due to the strong advocacy our leadership did to support the need.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Each team has their own unique way of celebrating successes (just as each client is unique, so is each team). This includes everything from preferred parking to bowling days, and so much more.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? We have been known to go out to places all over, like Watermark or Peat’s, both in formal capacities and as unofficial outings. There is even a book club that is ongoing, and several sports teams (like volleyball) that have existed.
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? We volunteer at events through United Way and other inter-agency opportunities. We also work closely with several other mental health organizations.
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? LOGAN supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they and their families may achieve their desired quality of life.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
LOGAN provides multiple strategies to assist individuals out of our therapeutic center (a former school), but also do in-home and community-based services.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
1. Pay even if the client cancels (not common in our fields)
2. Paid time off (not always available in our fields, as it usually is contract work)
3. Flexible hours (clients are often seeking services around school and work, so it is not automatically a 9-5 approach).
Anything else you’d like to mention about this company, its’ leadership, etc?
It’s awesome.
