Please join us in congratulating Kayana Webster, Rain House Program Supervisor, as the June Staff on the Rise Recognition recipient and for her recent promotion to program supervisor. Kayana possesses all the qualities of a Staff on the Rise: an exemplary work ethic, excelling on the job, being a team player, and going above and beyond her normal duties at Rain House.
The RISE Executive Administration Team recognized Kayana’s efforts when nominating her for the Staff on the Rise recognition stating, “Kayana has shown extreme dedication to elevating Rain House through concentrated efforts on improving compliance, a quality environment, and client support – going above and beyond. These efforts have earned her a new leadership position as the Rain House Program Supervisor.”
Kayana joined the Rain House Team as a Residential Counselor in November of 2021. Within a few short months, her excellence and dedication to the residents became very apparent and she was quickly promoted to the Senior Counselor position. Since then, Kayana has been a strong team player, assisting both the program leadership and her coworkers to provide the best care possible to the Rain House residents.
“I’m looking forward to learning new skills and taking on more management duties as the Rain House Program Supervisor”
“I’m looking forward to learning new skills and taking on more management duties as the program supervisor,” Kayana says. “I have a human service management degree so I’m happy to have the opportunity to learn the business side of running Rain House. I’m excited that I get to do the staff schedules, learn the billing, and help do resident intakes, manage referrals, and other things like that.”
In her new position, Kayana will also be working with the Program Director to help create a more structured program at Rain House, overseeing and helping to develop groups for the residents. “Currently we have a weekly house meeting, a monthly art therapy group led by C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, and weekly recreations,” Kayana explains. “I’m excited that in the next few months, we will be introducing things like journaling, meal planning, and other skill building groups that will help the residents be more independent.”
“My godmother is a social worker. She was my role model and inspired my interest in human services.”
Kayana attributes her interest in the human services field to her godmother. “She is a social worker and was a great role model growing up.,” she shares. “I listened to her talk about how she helps people, and it made me want to help others too. It is what I like best about working at Rain House – the client interactions. I find it very easy to talk to them. And I enjoy teaching and assisting them reach their goals. They really look up to me and the other counselors and look to us for guidance. It is very rewarding seeing them making improvements in their lives because of the work we do with them.”
Kayana and her significant other met in college and have been together for five years. “I am originally from Buffalo, and he is from the Bronx, we met at college and after we graduated, we decided to live somewhere in the middle and chose the capital region. It makes it easier for us to visit both our families a couple times a year or so.”
For fun Kayana and her significant other enjoy going to arcades. “We are a couple of big kids getting into playing all the games! But it is so fun, and it is something we enjoy doing together.” They also enjoy playing with their cats, Kunai and Kurenai, going to restaurants, and playing video games at home. “I also like to binge watch television shows. Pretty Little Liars is probably my favorite TV show of all time.”
Kayana says she enjoys working at RISE because she feels supported in her position and because of how generous the agency is in compensating the staff. “I especially appreciate Jackie Knowles. She was very supportive as the Rain House Program Director when I first started. Now that Jackie is the Residential Director, I appreciate the time she has spent helping us at Rain House while we are in transition after the most recent program director left. I appreciate her coming back and helping me settle into my role and helping me run things while we are waiting for a new program director to be hired.”
The RISE administration appreciates all that Kayana does for the residents at Rain House, especially her willingness to go above and beyond during this transition phase. She is empathetic, compassionate and dedicated to the individuals we serve. Please join us in congratulating Kayana as the June Staff on the Rise.