Stephen Leza
Director of Admissions
Employment Start Date: July2014
Why did you choose a career with The River Source?
I knew about The River Source for three years prior to my employment. The people who I knew in the community that worked for The River Source appeared very passionate about their work and always spoke highly of the organization. That definitely attracted me to want to be a part of it.
What was the interview process like?
The two managers who interviewed me were very professional and courteous. The questions they asked me were centered around the core values of the company and highlighted my ability to serve our clients.
How would you describe the training process?
The River Source has a very extensive training program for onboarding employees. The team made me feel very welcome, the managers made themselves available anytime of the day to answer my questions, and I became an expert on the operations of the facility in a very short time.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
There are two things I enjoy most about my job, the ability to help others that are struggling with addiction and being able to constantly grow within the company.
How would you describe the culture and work environment?
The River Source is my family. No matter what is going on, management has always made themselves available to me — whether it is to answer a question or be supportive during a stressful period in my life. Everyone generally cares about your wellbeing. Teamwork and communication are definitely big attributes of the team.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of working at The River Source?
The most rewarding parts of my job are seeing our clients succeed, and also seeing the employees who I lead grow as people. I have seen a lot of employees come in at an entry level positions and advance into other roles over time. This is an important part of working at The River Source and also one of our core values:
How has The River Source helped you develop your professional skills?
The River Source has developed me for the last seven years, and I can honestly say that throughout my time at The River Source my professional skills have increased tenfold. The leaders that were placed within my life have been great mentors for me and I have learned from every one of them.
What potential is there for career growth at The River Source?
The River Source provides opportunities for growth and promotes internally more than any other company I have worked for. Even with the leadership and management within the company, most started in entry level positions. This demonstrates how there is plenty of opportunity to have a solid career trajectory when you become a part of The River Source family. Hard work, loyalty, and dedication are rewarded by internal promotions, annual employment reviews, and public recognition within the company. I started out as an overnight Behavioral Health Technician, and through hard work and dedication I advanced into case management, admissions, management roles, and now I am the Director of the Admissions Department.
What’s one memorable moment you've had since working here?
There are too many to count, honestly. One instance I can recall is helping to mentor an employee and seeing her grow over the years. She is now on the leadership team and has made huge strides in her professional career since starting with our company. These moments where we see people grow make me proud as a leader, because they actually seize the opportunities they’re provided with.
Why should someone ultimately consider a career at The River Source?
I think the key word in this question is “career.” The River Source gives an employee an opportunity to have a lifelong path to continue to grow and develop. The family atmosphere and opportunity for growth definitely is a unique aspect of this organization.