UMFS Unwavering Champion Jonnelle Morris

May 25, 2018

Each month, UMFS recognizes one of our employees as the Unwavering Champion of the Month. At UMFS, this award celebrates the UMFS mission and how our employees bring that mission to life. Our mission: UMFS is an unwavering champion for high-risk children and families, collaborating with communities to help them reach their full potential.

Our Unwavering Champion for May is Jonnelle Morris, Student Support Coach at Charterhouse School in Richmond. Jonnelle (pictured on right in lead photo with Sheena Lyle, Program Director for UMFS Child and Family Healing Center) has been with UMFS for four years, and before she began creating a safe and positive learning environment for students as an SSC, she was a standout youth counselor.

“Jonnelle brings an endless amount of positive energy, humor, and an inviting presence,” said Sherri Glover, Student Services Manager at CHS. “Youth trust her and seek her out for support.”

Jonnelle truly understands how to make connections and exemplifies the UMFS value: Relationships Are Our Building Blocks. “She always has a calming demeanor, which allows youth to relax naturally and trust her with their challenges,” Sherri said.

“Everything Jonnelle does,” Sherri continued,” she does with strengths in mind. She is an amazing team player who multiplies impact through collaboration. She’s always there for her team, and she’s always extending her support to all programs in the school.”

Jonnelle’s team looks upon her as someone who can boost morale; someone who happily lends a hand to ensure her colleagues are coming to work with an overall positive attitude.

And it’s not just the minds of her peers and students that Jonnelle nurtures, she also looks out for the physical well-being of all those around her. She provides health, mental, and nutrition tips to the whole school. Because of Jonnelle, Sherri said, “staff and youth feel good about themselves.”