Today we are excited to introduce you to Stephanie (Steph) Winston! Steph joined the ASK Wellness Society team in February 2022 and for the past five months has been working as an Administrative Clerk. Steph is certainly not a one-word wonder. We were happy to chat with Steph and get to know all about her extensive (incomplete) art projects and her love of adventure!
WHAT LED YOU TO BE INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR ASK WELLNESS SOCIETY?
I have always had an interest in, maybe even a passion for, working in the social sector. The compassion and strength that ASK exudes absolutely pulled me in! The Society has done, and will continue to do, great things for folks who need it most. I am proud to be a part of that.
WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD ABOUT YOUR ROLE WITHIN ASK?
All the little ways I can help out. By taking on extra tasks to help free up time for others, I have had the opportunity to assist in several departments. This has helped me understand how they all interconnect and ways that I can help improve the overall flow. I like getting to learn all the different processes, and especially love to meet and chat with folks when they come by the People Experience office.
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU THE MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR ASK?
The atmosphere, 100%. I actually WANT to come to work. My colleagues have been so warm and welcoming, and I feel valued here. ASK fosters such an inclusive, open, and diverse attitude, which absolutely makes me hope to be here for the long haul! The resilience I see day to day from staff who are committed to helping out program participants and coworkers is inspiring! It also fans my own commitments towards help and change.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I like to think about and plan all the cool art projects I want to do… but will likely never ever get around to. I have a bad habit of seeing something I think is neat, thinking it’ll be quick and easy, getting all the supplies and then promptly putting off starting it. But seriously, I love to camp and explore, and I will be the friend who takes four hours to do a 2 km walk because I stop to look at all the little things along the way. I’m also the person who will bring home that cool looking rock… just because!
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU JUST CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Oof, this is a tough question. Probably books. I have enough to open my own library and have been known to come home with a copy of a book I already own because I forgot I already own it, haha. My dream is to one day build my own personal library room with all of the little reading nooks and comfortable pillows!
CAN YOU TELL US A FUN FACT OR SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have a scar from being attacked by a lion in Mexico, and my double-jointed elbows seem to weird people out. I believe that there is a silver lining in everything, sometimes you just have to be a little weird to find it.
Well, we are extremely curious about this lion situation, but we’ll follow up on that one some other time… Thank you for all your hard work and support to our various departments, Steph! You have been a glowing light addition to our administrative team!