Posted on April 22, 2026
These paragraphs are shortened versions of the original nominations.
If you’ve ever worked with Hope Castle, you know she’s the kind of person who quietly makes things better for everyone around her. She’s always thinking about what the people she supports actually want. Their comfort, their choices, their day. You can see it in the way she sits down one-on-one to plan things with them, not for them.
There was a time when a group of people we support were bowling and someone from the bowling alley raised a concern. Some people might’ve stepped back, but Hope stepped in. She calmly advocated for the people we support and worked collaboratively with the facility staff. She was able to find common ground and made sure everyone could keep doing what they loved.
She’s also someone her team can count on. She steps in when needed, even staying with someone in the emergency room beyond typical expectations just to make sure someone we support was not alone.
When you think about excellence, Amanda DeStefani is one of the first people who comes to mind. If you’ve spent time in her program, you’ve seen the shift. What used to be a quieter group has become one of the most engaged and connected groups in the day program, and a lot of that comes from the way Amanda shows up every day.
There was a moment during a puppet show where someone joined late in the process. Instead of letting him sit on the sidelines, Amanda brought him in, asked how he wanted to be part of it, and made sure he had a role. That same approach shows up in everything she does. She finds ways to include people, even when they’re unsure or hesitant, and helps them feel confident stepping into something new.
She also brings that same mindset to her team. Amanda leads by example, encourages others to step up, and recognizes when to step back so someone else can succeed. That kind of leadership has helped people build confidence, both the people we support and the team around her.
Abigail DuBois is a true example of what respect and advocacy look like. She provides personal supports for one person in our community program five days a week. Since she started with him, we’ve seen real improvement in both his social and motor skills.
Before Abby’s support, he had high anxiety in social settings, and because he primarily uses a wheelchair, he did very little walking. Abby is always thinking about what will set him up for success. She looks for the right environments where he can feel comfortable while still being encouraged to try something new.
Abby also makes sure that support doesn’t stop when she’s not there. She shares what’s working and helps him get comfortable with different team members. And as he prepares to move into a new home, she’s been bringing him in ahead of time to have lunch with staff and future housemates so the transition feels familiar, not overwhelming.
Emily Fornwalt leads with excellence and teamwork in mind, especially in moments that don’t go as planned. There was a morning when a team member was trying to get to work through severe winter weather. The roads were unpredictable with snow drifts and changing conditions, and it brought up anxiety for a team member because of a past accident in similar conditions.
When Emily got the call, she didn’t just respond as a Program Manager who wears many hats, she responded as a person who genuinely cares about her team. She listened, reassured her, and then got in her car and drove from Westminster to York to make sure she was safe. Emily encouraged her to keep going and even followed behind her the entire way to make sure she made it to work with no issues.
That kind of support stays with you. It’s what helps someone feel seen, supported, and confident in a moment that could have gone very differently.
Corina Gartland advocates and makes sure people supported have a voice, especially during big transitions. When a family began exploring residential services, Corina didn’t hesitate to ensure that the preferences of the person supported were heard. She created a page on a communication device using pictures to figure out if the person wanted a house or apartment, or a roommate or no roommate, so the person could understand what was happening and share their choices.
When another agency began planning housing tours, Corina reached out and rearranged her schedule so the person supported could attend, use the device, and leave early if needed. She made sure they had a seat at the table during decisions that would impact their life.
When communication from the provider fell short, Corina kept following up and created a guide to help the new team understand who this person is and how to support them.
Teamwork shows up in the way Brett Goldstein works with everyone around him. Whether he’s supporting people in the day program, helping with personal care, or stepping up when someone’s needed, Brett brings a steady, positive presence that people rely on.
Over time, he’s built a strong connection between our day program and First Fruit Farm. Because of that relationship, people we support now have regular opportunities to volunteer, learn new skills, and be part of something bigger in the community. Brett stays connected with the farm, helps coordinate schedules, and even supports other staff so they can be part of it too.
Brett’s consistency makes the impact clear. Volunteers are out there each week, and on Fridays, a larger group comes together to help with whatever needs to get done. That didn’t just happen. Brett made that possible through his consistency and the way he builds relationships.
After many years in residential services as a supervisor, Wendy stepped into a new role at the Central Day Program with a willingness to learn and quickly found her place on the team.
Wendy brings a depth of experience with her, but she’s also open to trying new things. She’s always ready to join in on community-based activities and takes on new environments with confidence. That openness creates more opportunities and better experiences for the people we support.
She’s also someone her team can count on. Wendy steps in, picks up where others leave off, and helps keep things moving without missing a beat. She’s always sharing ideas and looking for ways to make the program stronger.
If you’ve ever needed help and didn’t know where to start, there’s a good chance Janae was someone who offered a helping hand. As an Administrative Assistant and trainer, she’s someone others turn to because they know she’s going to listen, follow through, and handle things the right way.
Janae steps in with teams, supports events, and takes on extra responsibilities without making a big deal about it. As Heart Committee Chair, she has played a critical role in creating this very event we are enjoying today. She thinks about how things can be improved and has been a steady influence in shaping both the Leaders in Our Midst and HEART award recognition process.
After nearly 24 years, that mindset hasn’t changed. If you’ve worked with Janae, you’ve probably heard her ask, “What can I do to help?” and she means it.
Becca Lee has a way of saying yes, even when her schedule says otherwise. If you’ve worked with Becca, you know she brings energy and care into what she does.
Recently, she was asked to create two pieces of artwork for retiring board members who had given decades of service. Even with a full schedule, Becca said yes. She successfully completed the project and surpassed expectations, producing two exceptional works of art with assistance from Gene Alderman and Karen Ahrendt. The board members were profoundly moved by the artwork and such a meaningful gift.
Kelsey Manahan is someone her team can count on when things get tough. More recently, her Residential Supervisor and Senior Residential Advisor were out, and Kelsey helped hold things together. She coordinated schedules, covered shifts, and made sure people we support could still get out into the community, even during tough weather.
She didn’t stop at the basics. Kelsey took on additional responsibilities, kept things organized, and made sure nothing slipped through the cracks. She steps in wherever she’s needed, often working across multiple homes to make sure people we support continue to get consistent care. She takes the time to understand each person, which creates a steady and inclusive environment for everyone.
Kelsey also always looks for ways to do more. She brings innovative ideas to the table and has invested in her growth through programs like Career Ladders. She has also been awarded a Leaders in Our Midst Award.
Ashley Massey sees potential and then goes to work making it real. She helped bring Bill’s Famous Coffee Tour to life, building it into something much bigger than an idea. Through that work, Bill, the person she supports, has built relationships in the community, reconnected with family and friends, and found his voice around things that matter to him.
Ashley has also helped him take steps into entrepreneurship, from opening a bank account to launching a merchandise line, making sure everything was in place so he could do it on his own terms. A lot of that work happens behind the scenes. Ashley coordinates across teams, navigates systems, and handles the details so he can focus on what he wants to share with the world.
Her impact doesn’t stop there. Ashley has stood alongside him in advocacy efforts and built strong connections in the community, often opening doors for others along the way.
From the very beginning, Callie Miller built a connection with the person she supported that made everything else possible. She met him where he was, built trust through patience, consistency, and a calm presence. That connection made a real difference, especially as he adjusted to changes in his routine and support.
When his Annual PCP Prep meeting was coming up, Callie created a photo and music montage that captured his experiences over the past several months. It showed the activities he was a part of, the progress he’s made, and the moments that brought him joy. His smile in every photo was priceless, and it had a heartfelt impact on everyone in the room.
The opportunities she facilitated and the strong, positive connection she built with him has contributed significantly to his success.
Sometimes a simple conversation sparks an idea, and Cambria Power knows how to run with that. She heard that someone she supports was saving for an e-bike so he could get to work and move around his community more independently. That stuck with her.
That same day, Cambria reached out to the community and connected with a local bike shop owner. From there, she helped coordinate everything with Brian, the bike shop owner. Finding the right bike, making sure it was safe and fit the person’s needs, setting up time to learn how to use it, and even mapping out safe routes.
What started as a simple idea turned into something much bigger. The bike and safety equipment were fully funded through a crowd funding effort initiated by Brian. This bike is a dream come true for the recipient and became a reality because Cambria believed in the person supported and took steps to connect with someone in the community who brought together friends and resources to make it happen.
Angela Shaffer creates a safe, welcoming environment where people feel respected, heard, and comfortable expressing themselves. She communicates clearly, stays calm in all situations, and shows genuine care for the wellbeing of others.
One powerful example of her dedication happened while she and the person she supports were volunteering. They were delivering meals and Angela came across a situation where a senior appeared to have passed away. She immediately recognized what was happening and calmly guided the person she supports back to the vehicle so they wouldn’t be exposed to something traumatic.
From there, she contacted emergency services, stayed calm, and continued to reassure the person she was with. She kept her manager informed and worked with first responders, all while making sure the emotional needs of the person she supports were taken care of.
Kristi Strausbaugh doesn’t wait for problems to solve themselves; she looks for ways to remove barriers and help people succeed.
Recently, she successfully advocated for a person supported facing workplace challenges. She collaborated with the employer and employment team to reset expectations, clarify responsibilities, and foster mutual understanding. This intervention not only helped the person supported to maintain employment, but also improved her confidence and overall quality of life.
Beyond the workplace, Kristi’s natural networking abilities make her a strong community ambassador. She frequently identifies new partnerships and volunteer opportunities, sometimes even while off duty. Her advocacy has consistently helped people we support to maintain employment, build confidence, and enhance their quality of life.