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Independence: Alonzo Smith
 The ability to work independently means that you can be relied on, and that you are worthy of trust. It is this spirit of Independence that makes Alonzo Smith such a valuable leader at Cunningham Children’s Home.
Alonzo has been a Night Unit Counselor at Goodman Cottage for seven years. His patient and calming personality and ability to build trust among his coworkers has made him an unsung leader of the Goodman cottage team. His supervisors describe him as “a rock” for his team, uniquely able to bring calm and stability during times of crisis.
Alonzo is willing to come in early, stay late, and work extra shifts to help his team maintain the program’s stability. He is highly skilled at providing individualized treatment—taking the time to observe clients’ behaviors and identify the most effective way to meet their needs within the milieu. For children at Goodman, Alonzo is an important male role model, communicating through his actions and quiet strength that men can be calm, respectful, patient and kind.
Alonzo seems to have infinite patience, never intervening physically with an aggressive client until he has given them every chance to de-escalate. Bed-time is often a very difficult time for clients, and Alonzo shared an example of his ability to de-escalate a potentially explosive situation in a recent TCI training. One of the boys at Goodman was refusing to go to bed, becoming increasingly agitated and trying his best to provoke a response in the staff. Alonzo tried a few different de-escalation strategies, and then decided to just sit down. Seeing that Alonzo had stepped outside of the power struggle, the client became calmer and more ready to transition to bed.
Another of Goodman’s boys, who is among the cottage’s most high-energy and obsessive clients, has built a special bond with Alonzo because he craves the stability and routine that Alonzo is able to provide. A supervisor observed this client asking for Alonzo, saying, “where’s Alonzo? I need to tell him I cleaned my room.” The client knows what Alonzo’s expectations are, and is nurtured by his knowledge that he can always count on him.
You don’t have to perform great and daring feats to be a hero for Cunningham kids. Sometimes you just have to be there—to be present and responsive, and deserve their trust. In the dark hours of the night when many of our kids feel most vulnerable, the children at Goodman feel safe and protected, knowing Alonzo is there.
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