Health Links (HL): How did you find out about Health Links and why did FIRC decide to join the Healthy Business Network?

Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC): We felt it was really important to incorporate health into our everyday. We knew we needed to emphasize the health of our employees, not just our clients. 

HL: How did Health Links help FIRC?

FIRC: Health Links opened the door for us to start thinking more about the employees. We are very client-focused, and this gave us the opportunity to focus on own needs to continue to meet the needs of our clients. We’ve reframed the way we look at our downtime. We offer weekly walks, yoga in the conference room, and our latest grant from Health Links allowed us to purchase stand up desks. We ended up leveraging funding for 20 desks total. 

HL: What does being a Healthy Business mean to your organization? How does it reflect FIRC’s values or business goals?

FIRC: FIRC’s mission is to promote stable families. And we are all a family here. Health Links gave us the opportunity to look inward so we can do a better job looking outward. It started conversations. We weren’t just talking about the health and well-being of our clients. We started talking about our own health and well-being.

Mental health is at the forefront of what we do. There’s an open dialogue, a supportive culture, and no stigma attached. Next month, we start a four-week mindfulness training to help people process the difficult things we see day to day. We also offer free visits to counselors. 

HL: How does FIRC create a culture of health, safety, and well-being for employees?

FIRC: Overall, we incorporate it into the daily. We create a culture where it’s ok to meet your mental and physical needs. 

HL: What changes have you seen among your employees, their families, or the surrounding community as a result of your program(s)?

FIRC: I see people getting outside more. People are more apt to take a walk during lunch. Working ten-hour days, it’s important to create that time during the day to move and get outside and connect with nature, take a bike ride, or talk with a friend. FIRC not only allows these activities, but encourages them.

HL: Have you seen any changes in your life and personal health as a result of FIRC’s focus on employee health and safety?

FIRC: I’ve worked for FIRC for 12 years. In the last couple of years, it has really shifted from a sole client-focus to incorporating a focus on self-care. It has become a part of our culture to value our health and well-being. 

HL:  How does FIRC engage with the community?

FIRC: We model health for our clients; they know our culture here. They ask questions about why we do what we do, and our open dialogue allows our culture to transcend to them.