employee_of_the_month
Sacaton- Rosalene (Rose) Thomas whose employment with the Gila River Indian Community spans over 20 years is the December 2009 Governor’s Employee of the Month recipient. Currently an Eligibility Worker out of the Tribal Social Service Department, Rose assists community members in applying for General Assistance as well as for Burial Assistance Eligibility.
Rose, however goes far beyond her job duties by helping families with wake and funeral arrangements and the procurement of necessary items all on her own time. Rose’s gentle manner holds her dear to grief and financially stricken families as she diligently addresses not only the physical aspects of general and burial assistance but responds to the emotional needs of these families as well. It is a critical time when a family looses a loved one or undergoes financial difficulties, but Rose’s experience in these matters allows her to comfort the family, guide them during these difficult times and is no less present after hours to make sure that all arrangements are in place for a wake and burial the following day.
Rose is small in stature and humble in disposition but her big heart, caring manner and devotion to these families carries them through the hardest of times. There was a time when trips from her District Six office to Sacaton were quite frequent having her shoulder the needs of families in both areas. Nevertheless, her dedication to job, families and community found her wherever she was needed — both on and off the job.
We respectfully applaud Rose for her excellent service and dedication to this Community’s family needs in her area of service as well as to her dedication in sustaining the dignity of this all important element of community life.
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