Sheldon, Iowa — An employee of a Sheldon organization has been honored with an annual award.
According to Village Northwest Unlimited President and CEO Barry Whitsell, at the VNU Staff Christmas Party on December 2, 2021, Karma Funk was honored as the Outstanding Staff of the Year. He says the Outstanding Staff of the Year Award is the highest honor awarded to a staff member of VNU. Recipients are nominated by their peers for this annual award.
VNU officials say Funk began her career with the Village in the fall of 1990 after she graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor’s Sociology degree. In her first role at VNU, Funk worked as a House Counselor at House #358, known at the time as the Free Wheelers Cottage. In her 31 years of service to VNU, Funk has served as a Waiver House Manager, a Vocational Trainer, a Job Coach, and a Registered Behavior Technician/Autism Program Instructor. Since 2020, Funk has served as the Community Skills Supervisor at 1545 South 9th Avenue, say Village officials.
Whitsell tells us her peers say Funk demonstrates the Village’s mission of purpose, privacy, and dignity through her commitment to the individuals served and wanting them to experience success and have opportunities to do things they will enjoy. They say Funk uses teachable moments to help residents be successful. She encourages the residents to do their best whether working on a project at home or in meeting a goal at work. According to her peers, she coaches the residents to think through all the possible outcomes before they make their choices. She encourages them and makes sure they know she is proud of them.
Whitsell says, “When thinking of the Village, and our desire to provide Purpose, Privacy, and Dignity for all people, it is easy to see that Karma is a great asset to the Village. Karma has demonstrated the Village values in all her interactions with others”.
For more information check out https://villagenorthwest.org/karma
