Living our values: The story behind Covenant’s Mission Awards
Bonnie Tejada, vice president, mission, ethics and spirituality
When Covenant was first formed in 2008, our leaders knew that bringing together multiple faith-based organizations was about more than merging operations — it was about uniting people through shared values. One of the first ways they did that was by creating the Mission Awards.
“The Mission Awards are as old as Covenant itself,” says Bonnie Tejada, vice-president of mission, ethics and spirituality. “They were one of the first integration activities that helped shape who we are as one organization.”
Back in 2008 and 2009, many Covenant sites already had their own staff recognition programs — Caritas had the Caritas Awards, and other sites had local honours. But when those organizations came together, there was a shared desire to celebrate the people who bring Covenant’s values to life across Alberta.
“It started as a priority that first year we amalgamated,” says Bonnie. “We wanted to honour the heart of what connects us — compassion, respect, collaboration, social justice, integrity and stewardship.”
From those early conversations, the Mission Awards took shape as a way to recognize people who live Covenant’s mission through everyday actions — a colleague who goes out of their way to help a resident, a leader who inspires through service or a team that works together with genuine compassion and collaboration.
Over time, the Mission Awards have become a cornerstone of Covenant’s culture, recognizing individuals and teams whose actions reflect the organization’s six values. The process begins with nominations submitted by colleagues across Covenant — heartfelt stories of people who bring the mission to life in their daily work.
For Bonnie, that’s what makes the program so meaningful. “There are recipients, of course, but every person nominated is already a winner in their own way,” she says. “Every nomination is a story about someone living our values. That experience of being seen and recognized by your peers is incredibly powerful.”
Each year, a committee of leaders and staff reviews nominations and selects recipients from a pool of extraordinary stories. The decision is never easy, Bonnie says. “It’s nearly impossible to choose. There are so many deserving people. But the process reminds us of just how much compassion and integrity exist across our organization.”
While the awards highlight a few recipients, Bonnie says the spirit of the program is celebrating everyone who contributes to Covenant’s mission — whether they take a plaque home or not. “We certainly celebrate the recipients,” she says. “They’re the ones whose stories we share publicly, and they become our ambassadors for living the mission. But our real focus is on the broader community of people who make those stories possible — the colleagues who nominate them, the teams who support them and the culture that allows those values to flourish.”
For many staff, the nomination process itself is a moment of connection and reflection — a chance to pause and recognize how deeply a co-worker’s kindness, leadership or courage has made an impact.
“Even the act of nominating someone can be transformative. You start thinking about what they’ve done and the difference they’ve made, and you realize how powerful it is to say, ‘I see you.’ That’s really what the Mission Awards are about — seeing and celebrating one another. ”
Those feelings extend to the nominees as well. “When someone learns they’ve been nominated, it can be very emotional,” Bonnie says. “You see the joy and surprise on their faces. It’s a reminder that recognition doesn’t have to be grand — it just has to be sincere.”
Beyond co-ordinating the annual celebration of nominees and recipients, Bonnie and her team are exploring new ways to keep their stories alive year-round. “We write these wonderful profiles on nominees,” she says. “But not everyone has the time to read them, and in the past, we even made videos of each recipient. We’re looking for ways to bring that storytelling spirit back — to keep sharing the stories of our colleagues and how they live our values.”
For Bonnie, the Mission Awards represent more than recognition — they’re a reflection of who Covenant is. “These stories are the best of the best,” she says. “They remind us of who we are and of what we strive to be every day. They show what it looks like when compassion, integrity and service come to life in real ways.”
Bonnie hopes every nominee and recipient — and even those who take part as nominators — feel a deeper connection to Covenant’s mission. “When we celebrate these stories, we’re celebrating ourselves,” she says. “We’re recognizing the spirit that makes Covenant unique — our people.”
As Covenant continues to grow and evolve, the Mission Awards remain a grounding force, linking new generations of staff and leaders to the organization’s founding values. They’re a testament to the belief that compassion, respect and collaboration aren’t just words on a wall — they’re lived every day in hospitals, care centres and communities across Alberta.
“When we take the time to share these stories, we’re reminded that our mission isn’t just something we talk about,” Bonnie says. “It’s something we live, together.”