Nov. 22 - Serving Seniors Named 2021 Top Workplace in San Diego County
November 22, 2021
Contacts: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, Fellow PRSA – Serving Seniors,
619-997-2495 or GLF@SAN.RR.COM
Serving Seniors Named 2021 Top Workplace in San Diego County
One of just five nonprofits in eighth year on list
SAN DIEGO, California – For its third straight year, Serving Seniors was named of one of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s “Top Workplaces for 2021.” The annual awards are based on anonymous employee feedback. A majority of Serving Seniors’ employees participated in this year’s assessment.
Serving Seniors is one of just five nonprofits out of 100 employers named to the 2021 list. It has made the list in eight out of the nine years the awards program has taken place. This year’s recognition comes after unprecedented challenges as the Serving Seniors team continues to manage service delivery supporting low-income and homeless older adults.
Serving Seniors was also recognized with a “Spotlight Award,” given to 12 workplaces based on standout scores for employee responses to specific survey statements. Serving Seniors represents “Pursuing Purpose.” One of the survey comments: ”My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful.”
“It’s been nothing short of amazing to see what the members of our Serving Seniors team were capable of doing when confronted with the coronavirus pandemic,” said Serving Seniors President/CEO Paul Downey. “Our clients were deeply affected, and we were all affected too. None of us had any roadmap for this.
“This challenge seemed to make every single employee determined to fight back and maintain the level of support we’ve delivered for a half century,” added Downey. “Not only were they successful, Serving Seniors tripled its meal service to meet the need.
“I couldn’t have asked more from them. Even after what they’ve all been through, to learn how much they value their jobs with us makes me recommit Serving Seniors to being the kind of workplace everyone feels valued, and everyone’s contribution matters. I’m thankful to them on behalf of every client whose life is improved by their efforts.”
The Philadelphia-based survey firm Energage determines the recipients of the annual San Diego County’s Top Workplaces awards. Results are based on a scientific employee survey process. The Union-Tribune welcomed anyone to nominate companies as Top Workplaces. Energage also reached out to eligible companies in San Diego County with 50 or more employees. This year, (2,176) employers in San Diego County were invited to participate. Employers can be public, private, nonprofit, or governmental.
Combined, the companies surveyed in 2021 employed 24,426 people. One hundred employers earned recognition as Top Workplaces and were ranked based on their employee survey feedback.
Serving Seniors staff are supported by the contributions of more than 400 compassionate volunteers who are also devoted to the mission of the organization, as well as the many generous donors who make their work possible.
About Serving Seniors
Founded in 1970, Serving Seniors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, dedicated to serving low-income adults aged 60 and over. A leader in senior advocacy and programming, Serving Seniors has created an innovative model of comprehensive services including nutrition meals, housing, health and social services and lifelong learning opportunities to hundreds of seniors in need. It is the largest provider of meals to seniors in the county, and one of the only organizations in the nation providing a robust range of services to vulnerable, at-risk older adults.
Serving Seniors President and CEO Paul Downey has been instrumental in the organization’s growth over the past 26 years. Since being appointed the role in 1995, Downey has guided the nonprofit’s innovative efforts to provide supportive services focused on keeping low-income seniors healthy and independent. Under Downey’s leadership, Serving Seniors has grown to provide more 1.7 million nutritious meals and coordinated services to 7,000 older adults each year. Read Serving Seniors’ groundbreaking 2021 report, Senior Homelessness: A Needs Assessment.
