The Circle of Courage Award recognizes the dedication and service of outstanding long-term employees, celebrates staff whose long-term pattern of performance goes above and beyond normal expectations, and offers special recognition for exceptional acts that reflect the agency’s program model.
A listing of all-time honorees by year:
2005:
- Glenn Carter, Gerber School
- Mike Fred, CIRCLE Academy
- D’Andrea Giddens-Jones, Human Resources
- Russ Mullett, Residential Treatment
- Patty Sharp, Independent & Transitional Living
2007:
- Stephanie Lynge, Public Relations
- Jill Miller, Independent Living
- Shawn Peterson, Quality Improvement
- Dottie Wolgemuth, Nursing
2008:
- Melanie Bailey, Intake/Admissions
- Mike Lard, Maintenance
- Alonzo Smith, Residential Treatment
- Sandy Ratliff, Residential Treatment
2009:
- Debbie Tiger, Special Therapies Coordinator
- Jeanne Ward, Gerber School Teacher
- Penne Bishop, Intake/Admission – ILO/TLP
- Greg Morrow, Gerber School TA
2010:
- Amy Fellers, Goodman Milieu Coordinator
- John Skillings, Transitional Living Site Educator
- Michael Shannon, CIRCLE Teacher/Teacher’s Assistant
- Hannah Penny Chillis, CIRCLE Therapeutic Interventionist
2011:
- Keith Butler, Shift Leader, Kendall Gill Boys Group Home
- Nancy Bellmore, Lead Accounting Assistant, Accounting
- Amanda Hamilton, Night Site Educator, Transitional Living Program
- Jamey Bailey, Therapist, Cornerstone Unit
2012:
- Cicily White, Shift Leader – Girls Group Home
- Regina Pruitt, Gerber School Peace Team
- Marie Duffin, Case Manager Foster Care Program
- Paula Abdullah, Nurse
2013:
- Todd Wagner, Milieu Coordinator/ Girls Group Home
- Tracy Ideus, Quality Improvement Assistant
- Mary Garman, Vocational Education Coordinator
- Angie Bertauski-Pierce, Associate Director of Community Services ILO/TLP
2014:
- Arnold Chattic, Case Aide – Therapeutic Foster Care
- Denise Wilson, Secretary – CIRCLE Academy – Urbana
- Kim Keaton, Residential Shift Leader – Jedi
- Pam Mathews, Special Education Teacher – Gerber
2015:
- Mary Schroer, Program Assistant – Community Services
- Alan Oathout, Training Coordinator – HR
- Caleb Billingsley, WIA Employment Consultant – Vocational Education
- Amy Skilling, Night Milieu Coordinator – Residential
2016:
- Kawonda Jones, Shift Leader – Boys Group Home
- Ed Waldmire, IT Systems Administrator
- Kyle McKay, Vocational Options Employment Specialist
- Gay King Crede, Chaplain
2017:
- Brenda Tucker, Associate Director of Health Services
- Joe Lard, Maintenance Lead
- Chalaine Davis, Case Manager
- Kasey Wells, Case Manager
2018:
- Carrie Winkler, Clinical Therapist – HopeSprings
- Ryan Gossett, Supply and Donation Clerk
- Kristin Washington, Case Manager
- Jennifer Forrest, Milieu Coordinator
2019:
- Brooke DiBello, Clinical Therapist – HopeSprings
- Barbara Miller, Academic Coordinator – CIRCLE Academy Vermilion
- Carlos Villanueva, Employment Counselor – Vocational Options
- Corinne Bend, Residential Therapist
2021:
- Emily Franklin, Refocus Coordinator – CIRCLE Academy – Vermilion
- Lee Boyer, Education Program Assistant – CIRCLE Academy Urbana
- TJ Calvin, Case Manager – Community Services
- Judith Ciulla, Teacher – CIRCLE Academy Urbana
- Jillian Schultz, Specialist – Special Therapies
- Erin Gilligan, Development Specialist – Advancement
- Shacairy Gibbs-McReynolds, Milieu Coordinator – Girls Group Home
- Gloria Jones, Milieu Coordinator – Jedi
2022:
- Shannon Roberts, Human Resources Assistant – Training
- Casey Huster, Case Manager – Community Services
- Tiara Armstrong, Residential Therapist
- Jack Vu, Night Youth Counselor – Jedi
2023:
- Vickie Hart, Program Assistant – Residential Treatment
- Stephanie Cadena, Data Specialist – Quality Improvement
- Cindy Ditchfield, Literacy Interventionist – Gerber Education Program
- Tina Dechausay, Communications and Marketing Specialist – Advancement
2024:
- Altovise LeShoure, Intake Coordinator – Residential Treatment
- Darcy Miller, Educational Liaison – Gerber Education Program
- Ben Richards, Site Educator – Transitional Living
- Holly Crowder, Academic Coordinator – CIRCLE Academy Urbana