Bringing in the Babies; South Shore CVA’s In-office Child Care Program Promotes Family, Culture
Hammond, Indiana (PRWEB) July 26, 2013 -- What began as a way to help the executive director at the time return to work after having her first child has blossomed into quite the program. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority has welcomed babies to the office since 1997 when Kathy Hricik brought her daughter Carolyn to work.
The In-Office Child Care Program has been a wonderful success since its inception. Both mothers and fathers are allowed to bring their children to work until the child reaches 4 months of age.
As part of the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration, each child who has gone through the In-Office Child Care Program attended a beach party celebration. Sporting “I’m a South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority Baby” t-shirts, the "babies" were all part of a commemorative photo shoot. To date, 14 babies have gone through the program, with the oldest being 16 years old and the youngest being six weeks old.
For the first time beginning this December, a grandchild will also be joining the ranks of the organization.
“No other organization offers a program like this,” said Speros Batistatos, President and CEO of the South Shore CVA.
At one time, there were three babies coming to work every day. “This program isn’t just for the parents, it is for the organization. It increases the sense of family and allows team members to be part of the culture.”
“As an organization, we look to hire the best people. People make the business, and if you want the best people, you need to invest in them,” Batistatos said. “That means making sure you offer certain incentives, one of ours is family-friendly policies.”
Heather Becerra, Chief Marketing Officer, welcomed daughter Peyton in February. Peyton is the third baby to join the program from the Becerra family.
“The In-Office Child Care Program has given me the opportunity to have a career and still have time with my newborn baby that a lot of mothers with careers don't get to have,” Becerra said. “It says a lot about the culture of our office, the work/personal life balance we are able to have and programs like this are why the South Shore CVA's staff is like an extended family.”
Oliver, the newest baby to be part of the program, will be joining his mother, Nicki Mackowski-Gladstone, Vice President and Chief Communication Officer, beginning next week at the office in Hammond.
“As a new mom, I was definitely apprehensive about returning to work so soon and leaving my baby in the care of someone else. Being able to bring Oliver to work made the transition so much easier,” Mackowski-Gladstone said. “This program is invaluable to me; it gives me peace of mind to know my employer cares so much about my family.”
Nicki Mackowski, South Shore Convention and Visitors Auth, (219) 554-2720, [email protected]
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