When reality is that there is no one else in the entire community doing the work that you are, it’s hard to hold up the comparison bar and start measuring traits, best practices and other sorts of “us versus them” types of metrics. Maybe that’s why Harbor Country Mission was such a standout in the 20 Best Places to Work arena for 2020. Anchored in Bridgman, the hearty band of 20 colleagues works every single day to provide the community-at-large with a modicum of hope, and some sort of way out of the realm of poverty. When they say, “you’ve got a friend,” they’re directly addressing the working poor in Michigan’s Great Southwest and then backing it up by literally “putting love into action.” Armed with the dual super powers of helping people when they need it and giving people hope, it’s hard to match the spirit of a team that celebrates life through the joy of helping families through a can-do attitude. Read on for the Harbor Country Mission story as they join the ranks of the 20 Best Places to Work in SW Michigan.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Harbor Country Mission
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Dave and Hannah Heyn
Business Contact Information
Harbor Country Mission
9600 Red Arrow Highway
Bridgman, MI 49106
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
20
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Harbor Country Mission is providing our community with hope and a way out of poverty. Harbor Country Mission is giving hope to the working poor in Berrien County.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
Harbor Country Mission goes above and beyond to make human connections and give dignity to those in our community. They are putting love into action.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
What a fulfilling place to work. To see how together we can make a positive change to those in our community.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Harbor Country Mission is a place where your work helps to change peoples lives and give them hope.
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
1. Hope…2. Fulfillment…3. Positivity
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company has on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One Ability to help people when they need it.
Super Power Two Giving people hope today.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Unrivaled Joy and action
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? Meeting the needs of the community immediately
C] Keep communications open? A can do attitude
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
Volunteers helped clean up the homes of families that were displaced due to flooding in the area. Making their homes a place they could move back into.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard. How does the nominated company:
A] Honor or reward success? Success is rewarded by enriching our communities families.
B] Socialize as a team? Socializing while volunteering in our community.
C] Get involved in community events? All Harbor Country Mission does is a community event.
D] Celebrate life? The joy that comes from helping families is how we celebrate those who we serve.
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
Volunteering at Harbor Country Mission will give you a face to face, hands-on, life changing joy that directly affects those who are serving and being served.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
When you donate items such as furniture, clothing, and household items you are changing the quality of life of our recipients. We give them FREE items if they are in need! We also sell items and give the proceeds to our teams that go buy the items needed to clean up and fix homes in need.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
1. Joyful giving to those around us
2. Changing Lives
3. Making our communities better
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
We celebrate those who help within our community. Awareness will bring us more volunteers and more resources to give back to those in need
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
There is no one else in our community doing what Harbor Country Mission is doing. With love, respect and caring we even provide vehicles to those who need help!