crisis counselor

diversity and inclusion manager

chief operating officer

crisis response specialist

counselor

CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank

This workplace fosters a deep love for the work and a strong sense of camaraderie among team members. Employees are dedicated and genuinely invested in their mission, and the support within the team is remarkable. However, the environment is strained by a lack of clear and consistent expectations from leadership, leading to confusion and a growing sense of frustration. 

The absence of effective guidance and sustainable workload management has created an atmosphere of reactive decision-making, which often burdens staff across the agency with intolerable workloads. Despite the best efforts of the teams, the pressures have led to a culture where some dismiss the challenges when the issues often stem from structural inefficiencies and unsustainable demands on employees.

The most challenging part of the job is the overwhelming and often unpredictable workload caused by inconsistent management practices. Without clear expectations or reliable support, employees are left to navigate increasingly demanding responsibilities, leading to burnout and frustration. The lack of proactive decision-making and a reactive approach to problem-solving only compounds these difficulties, making it hard to balance the passion for the work with the stress it creates.

On the other hand, the most enjoyable aspect of the job is the sense of purpose and fulfillment derived from the work itself. Team members are deeply committed to their mission, and there is a strong bond within the group, built on mutual support and shared dedication.

Unfortunately, confusion arises when employees are dismissed without any clear explanation or avenue for recourse by management. This lack of transparency in termination decisions leaves staff feeling blindsided, and with no formal process to appeal or address concerns, it creates an environment of uncertainty and mistrust. This lack of accountability undermines morale and leaves employees questioning their future with the organization. 

This is representative of my experience, and may not reflect the entirety of the experiences by employees which is important to note. Others have different perspectives, which is important to consider for the bigger picture of working here!

Working at Healing Prairie Farm has been a  rewarding experience overall. The quality of work being done here is great, and it’s clear the team truly cares about making a difference especially in the lives of the youth we work with.
One thing I really appreciate is the strong effort to meet youth where they're at and help them grow. Leadership really backs this too, they support staff in learning what trauma-informed care actually looks like.  There’s been a variety of new training opportunities that I feel have really allowed me to gain more tools and confidence in the work we do. 
Crisis work can definitely be challenging, and I think sometimes that pressure shows up in team dynamics. For the most part, the youth advocates here do a great job supporting each other and keeping a positive mindset.
My experience with management has reflected the same and been positive overall. Even during times when we’ve been short-staffed, they’ve shown up and stayed available to help out when needed.
There have been some leadership changes, and the new structure in place has honestly helped a lot with how we support youth, work together as a team, and have continuous learning opportunities and support. I feel seen and valued which is nice and not always the case at others jobs I’ve had.  Management has been approachable, honest, and always there when I’ve needed guidance or even just someone to talk to. Expectations and standards have become more clearly communicated, along with increased support & training to balance that. This has made a big difference. 

I’ve had the chance to complete several trainings and certifications that align with my overall professional goals while working here. Leadership showing genuine interest in my goals allows me to feel like I matter not just as an employee, but as a person. That’s not something I’ve felt at every workplace. 
Overall, it’s great to be part of a place where the values they talk about actually show up in the day-to-day work—with both the youth and the staff. 

The most enjoyable part about the job is easily the opportunity to support youth in need in such a meaningful way. With the animals, pond, acres, space — it sets Healing Prairie Farm apart from other programs. 

Though the tasks of the job are the same each day, there is never anything boring about it since you never know who is going to call or when.  What you can count on is a deeply purposeful experience as you support, respect and validate another human being in their difficult moments.  I have worked with multiple mental health agencies throughout my career and though the work was forever meaningful on a personal level, management and their "we're a team" and "we support you to take care of your own mental health when dealing with your clients" was simply untrue.  They had little interest in their employees beyond how many billable hours they could generate.  But this place...THIS place...There is daily appreciation and support, encouragement, an opportunity to debrief with staff and process is  available at any time, no matter for how long.  It would seem they have learned what most others have not: that taking care of your employees has to be a priority for them to be able to do their best work.  

This is hands down the best job I've ever had in my life. Not only is the job itself rewarding and meaningful, but the culture and values of the entire organization are superior to any other organization I've worked for. The atmosphere is supportive, empathetic, and always evolving. Supervisors are leaders in the company, and practice what they preach, and also provide a level of support that is far better than any other workplace. The colleagues are amazing and even though I am remote, I feel like I am a part of the team. The company itself encourages caring for oneself and is the first company I've worked for that encourages taking PTO and breaks when needed. This job has given me the flexibility to be a mom and go back to school and has taught me so many soft and hard skills. I will forever be grateful for this company and this job, and if you have an opportunity to work for this company, I can't enough about how you more than likely won't regret it.  

Working as a youth advocate at Community Crisis Services and Food Bank was a disappointing experience. While the mission is meaningful, internal operations suffer from significant dysfunction.

Training was inconsistent, and new staff were often placed in high-pressure roles with minimal preparation. This led to confusion, stress, and a lack of confidence in service delivery.

The organization has high turnover, and morale was often low due to unclear expectations and minimal transparency from leadership. Communication about important decisions was frequently lacking.

Additionally, concerns about favoritism and perceived nepotism contributed to a sense of inequity among staff. For example, some individuals appeared to receive preferential treatment regarding re-hiring and accountability, which undermined trust in leadership.

Until structural improvements are made in training, oversight, and internal communication, I would advise caution to those seeking a stable or professionally enriching workplace.

I’ve worked for various non-profits and I can confidently say CommUnity has always offered the best support, wages, benefits, and fulfillment. 

I have learned a lot out what it means to have unconditional positive regard, stronger appreciation for what dignity looks like, and have worked in situations where there’s not a degree or class that can truly prepare you unless you work hands-on in any role at this agency. Working with people in the midst of a crisis, during a time where mental health care is struggling gives us the opportunity to renew some faith in the system. Your role, no matter what position you take, holds great potential to improve someone’s outcome simply by listening and providing support. Never underestimate the power you have in making your community a better place. 

CommUnity is a casual & supportive workplace that values its employees. Leadership communicates clearly about how and when certain decisions about compensation & bonuses are made. Though I have only been here a few months, there have already been strides to improve benefits offerings for employees including adding 4 weeks of paid parental leave, increasing the 401k match, and more, and it's my understanding those improvements have happened continuously over the last couple of years that current leadership has been at the organization. Employee well-being is definitely a priority here!

CommUnity is not a meeting-centric organization; employees have time to do their jobs and are trusted to make decisions pertaining to their role. At least for my role, the schedule and working location are flexible. 

When I joined CommUnity, there was a different leadership structure than there is now. We could speak freely to the bosses and our opinions were listened to. The new CEO and COO are not that way. They run the place like they're the bosses of a fortune 500 company: what they say goes (like drastic changes to people's schedules, or staff being forced to go into homes that have tested positive for COVID) and there is no room for discussion. I am on-the-ground staff, but I never used to feel badly about my position until the current leadership team started stepping on us. The culture has become anxious and toxic, everyone is constantly being told to step back into line, or being criticized in public online spaces for having dissenting opinions. It's become an unpleasant place to work.

People who work here actually care about each other as people, about protecting against compassion fatigue, and about work/life balance -- from leadership down! I've never worked in such a supportive environment, let alone with fair pay and remote format. It feels like  most people who work here are on board with a common mission of helping people, and are committed to doing excellent work to back it up. Honestly have never worked for an employer that fits my values/needs so well. Working in direct contact crisis intervention can be especially emotionally demanding, but this organization is the real deal and cares about sustainability and not burning people out.

It's no secret that the non-profit sector is struggling right now, but there's no other people I'd rather be with to weather this storm. The benefits are great, pay is competitive, working fully remote is a huge deal for me, and I'm very grateful to be able to do that. I feel like my superiors genuinely care about me, from my direct supervisor all the way to the CEO. Job security and advancement are the only downsides because of the volatility in the non-profit world, not because of anything this organization in particular is doing wrong. (This review is for the crisis helplines department in particular. Because I'm remote, I'm not very familiar with the other programs at Community.)

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Crisis counselor 7 salaries reported	$21.71 per hour
Diversity and inclusion manager 24 salaries reported	$21.92 per hour
Chief operating officer 23 salaries reported	$114,891 per year
Crisis response specialist 1 salary reported	$52,500 per year
Counselor 2 salaries reported	$19.50 per hour

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