People – Passion – Professionalism: Staff experiences during the pandemic

Twana Karney, Development Assistant

What do you like best about your job?

Processing gifts from our amazing donors.

What was it like working at CSA this past year during the pandemic? How did your job change? How did you flex, pivot and stretch to meet increasing client and/or agency need?  

Everything changed overnight in March of last year when the shutdown occurred. Those of us in high risk categories for COVID had to quickly adapt our homes to accommodate work computers, printers and other essential office supplies. From my “new” home office (shared with my retired husband), I soon began processing gifts online, learning about these things called Zoom meetings and sending out many thank you letters, interspersed with masked trips to CSA to hurriedly pick up and drop off work.

Was there a seminal moment/incident during this past year when you realized just how much the pandemic is/was impacting your clients and/or workload?

What happened next was the amazing part – an outpouring of generosity from our donors and the community in response to the great need quickly overwhelmed us and it was clear that we needed more help processing gifts. By bringing on volunteers, an intern and with help from CSA team members, we were eventually able to keep pace with the groundswell of support from our incredible community.

What keeps you going at work during times of great uncertainty … like COVID-19? 

I am proud of CSA’s response to the increased need brought about by the pandemic and honored to be a part of the work that the agency does to support the community.