This year, the Service Above Self Awards hosted by San Andreas Regional Center recognized Christina Smith, IP Job Coach, with a Recognition of Merit Award. Over her 8 years with Hope Services, Christina has consistently represented our core values and mission through her exceptional support style.

Christina is deeply invested in helping individuals succeed in the workplace and find meaningful employment. She supports both seasoned employees with long work histories and those newly entering the integrated, competitive workforce. Her dedication, compassion, and person-centered approach create a foundation of trust and professionalism, allowing her guidance to extend beyond employment into many areas of the individuals’ lives.

Congratulations, Christina, on this well-deserved recognition! We are proud to have you as part of our Community Employment Program.

“People like Christina, who invest so meaningfully in their professional relationships, are the reason our employment programs, and the individuals we support, achieve such remarkable success.”

In the words of her nominator:

“I nominated Christina Smith for her consistent, meaningful, and person-centered approach to her work. As Hope Services’ only full-time IP job coach in Santa Cruz County, she works independently to ensure every individual receives the job coaching they need, all while maintaining clear, ongoing communication with her supervisor.

Christina welcomes feedback and guidance with an open mind. When faced with uncertainty, she consults her supervisor to ensure individuals receive the right support toward a positive outcome. She is always available to answer questions and help problem-solve concerns between an individual and their employer, and she has cultivated strong professional relationships with store managers, HR representatives, business owners, and colleagues alike.

Her clients trust her and value her time. Whether discussing personal matters or workplace concerns, they feel safe communicating openly with her. When a need falls outside her scope, she connects individuals with other service providers or family members to help bridge any gaps in their well-being. Her hands-on support has included helping clients learn new tasks, correct timecards, address coworker conflicts with management, navigate IT issues, resolve scheduling and time-off conflicts, and request additional hours when desired, among many other things.

Having worked with many individuals over the years, Christina has supported them through countless aspects of their lives. In one instance, she called an individual on weekends to make sure he clocked in on time while he was on probation with his employer, helping him avoid further disciplinary action. She is an active listener who gets to the heart of any concern brought to her, and she continually strives for the success of those she supports in their chosen careers.

People like Christina, who invest so meaningfully in their professional relationships, are the reason our employment programs, and the individuals we support, achieve such remarkable success.”