An impressive 426 nominations were submitted this year from 287 employees! Please join us in congratulating and celebrating this year ’ s awardees. Their dedication to our participants and commitment to our mission of empowering and inspiring people to reach their full potential so they can live successfully in their own homes and communities reminds us how important our work is!
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SHOWN TREMENDOUS GROWTH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BY SETTING GOALS AND WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO MEET THEM. THIS PERSON MAY HAVE OVERCOME THE ODDS AND IS BECOMING A SUCCESS IN THEIR WORK.
From the moment Sebastian started as Direct Care, it was obvious that he was going to be the perfect fit at our program. No matter what he has been faced with, he has taken the task head on and excelled beyond expectations. We are more than lucky to be on this journey of growth with him.
Congratulations Sebastian Holland for having the Courage to Grow!
Jody is one of the most caring, kind people that we have the privilege of knowing and having as a “member of our village” She has shown tremendous growth over the past several years - Congratulations Jody for having the Courage to Grow!
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO NEVER STOPS MODELING THE MISSION OF THEIR PROGRAM AND THE AGENCY. THEY EXEMPLIFY A STRONG WORK ETHIC, SUPPORTIVE VALUES AND OVERALL INTEGRITY. THEY ARE LOOKED UP TO AND ADMIRED BY THE TEAM AT ALL LEVELS.
Kathy is consistently advising the staff to use the model in our work, and is always energetic and compassionate when giving coaching advice as well as during presentations in staff meetings, retreats and trainings Her energy and passion are felt wherever she is. She is always going the extra mile to ensure that Coordinators feel confident and are celebrated She is able to be supportive and at the same time, encourages growth and challenges others to push themselves
Donny is always going above and beyond to lend a helping hand wherever it is needed. His work ethic, supportive values and overall integrity is second to none. No matter how busy Donny is, he is always making time for both the participants and the staff alike. Donny may be a therapist, but the is also a great role model.
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SPENT MUCH TIME HELPING OTHER PROGRAMS IN NEED BY OFFERING AN EXTRA HAND AND A GOOD EAR. THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS A STRONG PERSONA AND IS SKILLED AT ASSESSING A SITUATION AND RESPONDING EFFECTIVELY ON A MOMENTS NOTICE. THEY EXUDE CONFIDENCE AND GIVE A SENSE OF COMFORT AND SAFETY WITH THEIR PRESENCE.
Pattyisastrongsupporttotheparticipantsevenwhile managingtheparticipantsatherownprogram Sheis brightandintelligentandoffersasenseofmaturityand stabilitytootherswhenneeded.Shemightbewellknown toeveryoneforherMostdeliciouschocolatechip cookiesbutsheisevenbetterknownforherabilityto supportandbetherewhenneeded!
OliverPlace
Emilyhashadsuchamonumentalimpactonour programfromthemomentshestarted.Sheisconstantly lendinganeartolistenandgivingoutadvicewhen needed Emilyisanincrediblepersonandmakes everyonearoundherlaughandfeelsafeinbeingableto confideinher.
Deitrickis a"lifesaver" Heisoneofthosepeoplewho goesoutofhiswaytoensuretherestofushaveexactly whatweneed,whenweneedit,inordertodoourjobs wellandwithlessstress.Heiskind,patient,immediately responsiveandisdedicatedtonotgivingupuntilhe findsananswerorsolution!
MaineClinicalDirector
AroundeverycornerLisaistakingflightto"save"another situation,program,ortraining.Inalltherolesshe’shad thisyearshewasneveronetoresisthelping. Sheis alwaystherewitha"Letmeknowwhatyouneed"Solet’s giveLisaReinboldacapebecausesheisaSuperHero!
THIS INDIVIDUAL IS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE AGENCY MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY. THEY WORK TIRELESSLY, THEY ARE ORGANIZED, COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THROUGH AND ALWAYS READY TO STEP UP AND GIVE A HAND. THEY ALSO WORK EFFECTIVELY TO ENGAGE OTHERS TO REALIZE THE DESIRED GOAL. IN ADDITION, THEY KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN WHILE WORKING HARD! THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR AND ARE OFTEN THE SOURCE OF LAUGHTER WHICH HELPS TO UPLIFT FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS.
Lynn truly works magic I have witnessed her love for not only the participants and families but colleagues as well. She wears her heart on her sleeve and isn't shy to share exactly how she’s feeling "Fun" should really be her middle name, she isn't one to take things too seriously yet knows when and how to set strong boundaries. She is without a doubt one of NFI North's longstanding, committed employees of all time!
Teresa comes to work each day with the "whatever it takes attitude" She proudly wears many hats and we would not know what to do without her. Teresa has the most wonderful sense of humor and the stories and remembrance of past participants are real reminders of why the work that we do is so important and rewarding.
Congratulations Teresa Dickson for achieving NFI North’s Longevity Award!
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CONSISTENTLY SHINES IN ALL THE WORK THEY DO. THEY ARE CONFIDENT, COMPETENT AND ALWAYS WILLING TO STEP IN AND LEND A HAND. THIS PERSON IS SURE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CAREER AND SERVES AS A BEACON OF LIGHT AND HOPE FOR THE TEAM.
WhetheritbeSherry’sunendingsenseofempathy, careandcompassionorunbridledsunnyoutlook ontheworld,anyinteractionwithherwillleaveyou smiling Shehasendlessenergyandherdedication isunmatched Sheiskindhearted,gentleandlives ourMissionStatementeveryday. Sherryisableto makeeventhedullestgroup-funandengaging. She’salwaystheretolendahandoroffera shouldertoparticipantsandstaffalike.Nomatter whattasksheisdoing,sheisputtingin100percent andmakingitthebestitcanbe Sheistheheartof makingpositiveconnectionsinourlocal communityinregardstoourparticipants'talents andcontributionstotheircommunity Weare honoredtohaveheraspartofourteam
Jen is the definition of a "go-getter". She is creative and shows great initiative each and every day She has taken the time and commitment to learn the ins and outs of our program so she can manage every task thrown her way. She takes the time to get to truly know each participant in the program so she can be effective in any situation that may arise. When you walk into Bridge Crossing you can see her personality shining through!
THIS PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS JOINED THE AGENCY WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND HAS ALREADY MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT. THIS PERSON HAS JUMPED INTO THEIR ROLE WITH BOTH FEET AND SHOWS A PASSION FOR THE AGENCY AND THE WORK WE DO. IN THEIR TIME AT NFI NORTH, THEY HAVE EMBRACED OUR CULTURE AND MISSION, WHILE ALSO BRINGING ENTHUSIASM AND NEW IDEAS. THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN QUICKLY AND ANTICIPATE NEEDS HAS MADE THEM A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THEIR TEAM. THIS PERSON HAS “THAT SPARK” TO MAKE A TRUE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Ke is bright, motivated, and kind. Being a Case Manager can be a challenging role but she is skilled at problem solving and coming up with creative solutions. She has grown quickly in our program and become an expert in many areas in order to support the team and the work we do Her passion for our mission shows with the care and thoughtfulness that she puts into everything she touches. She makes a difference in the lives of the people that we serve every day, and we are all lucky to have her!
Chris is a natural in this field, and we are routinely impressed by how spot on his intuition is when he encounters new situations He is a well-respected staff who can always see the good in others. Chris is someone who will always offer a positive affirmation and often lets others know how appreciative he is He has a way of working with participants that make them the safe and "go-to" person.
THIS PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO HAS A SPECIAL GIFT FOR LEADERSHIP. THEY ARE BRIGHT, TALENTED, AND CARING. THEY ARE EXCELLENT PROBLEM SOLVERS, HAVE THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST DEGREE OF COMMITMENT TO THEIR WORK AND POSSES ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG AND CAPABLE LEADER. WHEN YOU ARE WITH THIS PERSON, YOU WANT TO “PICK THEIR BRAIN” TO LEARN MORE. THEY ARE AN ASSET TO THE PROGRAM AND AGENCY IN EVERY WAY.
Scott is an honest and caring voice, even when, or especially when it may be something difficult to hear. He is a leader who is focused on building people up and has had many staff obtain further education and promotion within the agency under his leadership. Scott deserves this award, because it is evident that in times of crisis, the leadership of NFI North turns to him for aid Being as committed as Scott is to the work that we do, the mission and the participants, he is always there to provide a hand. Scott is very dedicated to the agency, the staff and the participants and is a fantastic role model. He never backs down from a challenge and when another program needed leadership this past year, he stepped up to support the staff and participants and ensured they were taken care of and safety was maintained. We can’t think of a better deserving individual for the Yitzhak Bakal award than Scott Dufour.