Message from the CEO – Jan Kral

Greeting to all of our Friends!

Recent months have been especially rewarding within our organization. The spirit and caring energy of our staff and consumers continues to grow and blossom. We’ve seen services and jobs for consumers improve and expand while wages and benefits for our staff have also increased. Our collective heart has embraced the Mission to a greater degree than ever before.

This has been the greatest time of staff and teams helping one another in recent memory. The synergistic, positive will of our team has resulted in improved lives of consumers and staff alike. Relationship building has grown through a genuine desire to understand all points of view, to act with humility, and to honestly and respectfully work together for the Mission.

One of the noteworthy examples of this has been the re-building and reconnection of our Coastal Programs. We sent out a “call for help” to reorganize parts of the program, strengthen the connections among all of Shangri-La, improve systems, and assure improved quality in programs. Teams and individuals responded to the call; great reciprocity occurred and improvements sought for the Coastal Programs were mirrored throughout the agency. The achievements of all the teams have exceeded our expectations and while too numerous and broad in scope to list, let it be said that the work is an ongoing success. Many thanks to all.

Another fine example of Shangri-La teamwork is reflected in the merging of Custom Packaging & Manufacturing and ARK Manufacturing. Again, support and help from a variety of departments are contributing to the hard work of the Salem Employment Team as they relocate businesses, redesign and improve training and support for consumers, and consolidate two major business areas. The energy, vision and enthusiasm to achieve our Mission in this project are inspiring and another round of congratulations is due for this team.

These stories are examples of the superb quality and commitment I see in every part of our ever-expanding organization. These exciting steps forward occur because of impressive Stakeholder Leadership as people throughout the organization engage in decision-making, problem solving and action.

The sweep of Shangri-La’s focused energy is expanding throughout Oregon, as we will soon be providing services in 9 Counties.

What an amazing contribution Shangri-La staff is making to Oregonians. I am thankful and proud to be a part of our collective effort to “Care for Oregon” in so many ways, in so many places, and with such focus on each individual we are able to serve.