Recently, a popular topic among businesses and organizations has been the idea of human capital — the skills, knowledge and experience one has, especially related to their organizational or business value.
The McKinsey Global Institute study concluded that companies that implement human capital management are more likely to elevate employee income, retain talent, boost profits and empower employees. While The City Mission is a nonprofit company, it still has important goals to meet every year, both for its staff and residents. The focus on human capital at the Mission has proved to be beneficial for the organization, its employees and its residents.
Organizations that develop human capital are those that promote and develop the skills, knowledge and experience of their employees. This includes things like proper training, fair compensation, performance evaluation and feedback, and a healthy workplace culture. Human capital management is the idea that developing, strengthening and caring for employees in turn produces valuable organizational results.
Organizations that focus on human capital have employees who are more satisfied with their jobs, which promotes loyalty and trust. This kind of management enables employees to identify and address skill gaps, seek additional training and better outline their career trajectories. The City Mission supports this by providing monthly and annual reviews.
Sharing consistent feedback is vital in helping staff members grow in their roles. The Mission also offers regular professional development, especially in trauma-informed care and other areas unique to serving those experiencing homelessness.
Another way the Mission supports its employees is through tuition reimbursement for staff who are working toward additional education in a career-related field.
The Mission invests in human capital for its employees but also develops this in its residents to help prepare them for lives of stability. Educational development and skill-building create a sense of accomplishment and foster self-confidence for residents while preparing them to find stable work at a livable wage. The Mission advances human capital growth among residents through its resource center and on-site services.
The Mission has an on-site resource center at each of its campuses and employs two workforce development specialists to assist residents with everything from job and housing searches, budgeting and acquiring GEDs and birth certificates. In addition, residents participate in job training while at the Mission, helping to build work experience and strengthen job skills in areas such as food service, facilities and hospitality.
Implementing human capital management has helped the Mission support the development and well-being of its employees. A well-cared-for staff ensures that the residents of The City Mission receive dignified, high-quality care.
Any time is a great time to explore the benefits of human capital management — after all, there’s nothing better to invest in than others.
Over the past 20 years, Linda Uveges has served in a variety of roles at The City Mission, becoming CEO in 2021.
