Awards are presented to clients representing each of Hillcroft's departments at each year's Annual Meeting.  The client awards represent the hard work and energy Hillcroft's clients dedicate to self improvement and gaining great independence. 

2011 Client Awards

Each year, Hillcroft presents awards to clients representing each department.  These awards reflect the success and growth of clients throughout the year.  The 2011 awards were presented at Hillcroft’s annual meeting in November. 

The 2011 award recipients:

 Art Participant of the Year: Shirley Jordan

As a newer participant of the Open Arts program, Shirley Jordan was enthusiastic from the start.  She is always willing to try something new and approaches every activity with excitement and an open mind. Her focus, imagination and attention to detail make each of her pieces unique and beautiful. It is a pleasure to have Shirley’s warm personality and artistic talent in class and we can’t wait to see what she continues to create! 

Recreation Participant of the Year:  Marc Miller

No matter what the activity, you will always see Marc enjoying himself on Thursday nights. Whether it be dancing with friends, playing some basketball, or spending a night making crafts, Marc is always involved and having fun! We especially enjoyed his acting debut in this year’s talent show with a scene from Ernest Goes to Camp! Always friendly, Marc makes an effort to get to know the new volunteers each semester as well as his peers. We appreciate Marc’s enthusiasm and dedication to the program! 

Adult Daily Living Participant of the Year:  Chris Baker 

Chris has been involved with ADL since 1985 but his level of participation changed several years ago when he was no longer able to attend work services.  It was at that time that ADL became his only day program.  Chris was more passive, withdrawn and quiet then and the ADL staff had trouble getting him to come in for services. Now he wants to come all the time. His participation, involvement and interaction have shown so much improvement, particularly with his friends.  Instead of holding back, he now loves to start a conversation and tell a joke or two.  And when one is having a bad day it does not take long for Chris to brighten things up by flashing a big smile and pointing his finger as if to say "hey you - lighten up!"  Chris is also quite the storyteller.  He loves to put together and read little scenarios he's written involving friends and staff from Hillcroft.  He frequently uses the computer to type out his stories and enjoys learning how to send emails to broaden his contact with others.   Chris also likes playing a few rounds of checkers and if you're lucky, he will often let you win.   It has been great to witness Chris' progress and watch him come out of his shell.  ADL is appreciative of the wonderful support Chris receives from his family and proud of his accomplishments. 

OBRA Participant of the Year:  Renee Mahoney. 

Renee is a true lady and loves to display her feminine side.  She enjoys having her fingernails polished and getting dressed up.  One of her highlights this past year involved preparing for and attending the adult prom sponsored by Wapahani High School.  Renee shopped for the perfect dress, tiara and purse.  It was a magical evening where she felt like the belle of the ball.  Renee also has a flare for home decor with bedspreads and pillows and loves using her special touch on her room at Albany Healthcare.  She is quite the crafter, taking pride in displaying her many projects.  And, if it's anything involving the color purple, she's on it.  Renee has been an enthusiastic participant in the OBRA program for over 10 years.  She loves going out and is noted to recognize and hit up each OBRA staff that comes in her facility, letting them know in her own way that she is ready to go.  One thing's for sure, Renee never shies away from new adventures.  She is very social, has many friends and a great sense of humor.  While her interests are many and varied she has a particular penchant for movies and music.  One always knows when Renee is in the Hillcroft van as you can hear her singing along with the radio.  And, if you really want to bring out her music mania just put her in the same room with "Elvis."  This demur, quiet lady blossomed when a King of Rock impersonator showed up at a community event at the New Castle library.  Her OBRA staff was quite shocked when Renee started screaming with the King's every song and move until he came over to personally serenade her.  The look of awe and joy on her face said it all.  No matter where Renee goes, she does not fail to impress.  She is as pretty on the inside as she is on the out and her beautiful smile cannot be missed.  

Cannon Industries Top Performers Of The Year: 

Muncie—Sandi Thomas.

Sandi Thomas has been working for Cannon Industries for the past 23 years.  Sandi splits her time between the workshop and cleaning the Muncie City Hall building as part of a Hillcroft contract with the city which keeps her very busy.  Producing quality work at high rates of speed just comes naturally for Sandi.  As if quality and speed were not enough to make a supervisor happy, Sandi brings to work one of the most pleasant and friendly personalities anyone could ask for.  We are proud of Sandi’s accomplishments and congratulate her.   

New Castle—Mark Harlan 

Mark Harlan works at our New Castle workshop.  He is a top performer there in production output and quality of work.  Mark always has a positive attitude.  He gets along well with co-workers and staff.  He is willing to try new jobs and also willing to work over as needed.  Mark always tells his supervisor when he is finished with a job and is ready for the next one.  He has no behavior issues at work and always follows the rules so he is a good role model for other clients. 

Careers in Business Student of the Year:  Joyce Blades

Since first coming to the Careers in Business program, Joyce has developed an independent spirit that is to be admired. When she began the program, she was hoping to expand her computer skills so that she would be a more valuable asset to her employer, Morehead Communications.  In spite of her personal and physical struggles, she accomplished that and more.  Not only have the skills Joyce learned boosted her self-esteem and increased her value to her employer, acquiring those skills has stimulated her ambitious nature.  She is now considering furthering her education and obtaining a college degree which would open the doors to promotions at work.  On a more personal note, since completing the Careers in Business program, Joyce's independent nature has also been stimulated.  Joyce has moved out of her parent's home for the first time in her life.  She now shares an apartment with a friend.  This is the first time she has lived "on her own".   She continues to expand her goals for the future and looks forward to a life filled with many more achievements.  I believe Joyce is prepared to face any challenge that comes her way. 

Community Employment Employee of the Year:  Damon Duffy

This year Damon surpassed all expectations by finding and securing his first community employment job since major brain surgery.  He had worked in the community for years before his surgery and was told afterwards he should “just stay off work and file for disability”.  Damon, along with support of his Mother who recently passed away and his Father, would not take that as an answer for his future.  With assistance from Vocational Rehabilitation, Damon decided to come to Hillcroft for Employment Services in March of this year determined to find employment.  He was partnered with Employment Consultant Todd Copeland and a new bond was formed.  Todd and Damon would meet weekly and sometimes even more to search for employment.    With his dedication and Todd’s support, Damon found his first job in over 6 years in August.  He is happily employed at Miasa Automotive in Yorktown as a material handler or as Damon would so humbly joke, a jack of all trades, and has the chance of advancement in the near future.   In the words of Damon "I'm just glad to be working in the community again, when others told me to just sit back and collect a disability check.  It would not have been possible without Todd and Hillcroft".   

Residential Outstanding Life Skills Achievement Award:  Richard Jordan

Friendly, outgoing, happy and positive are ways to describe Richard Jordan.  Since 1994, Richard has been a part of Hillcroft being involved in residential and work programs. Through the years, Richard has made tremendous strides demonstrating independence in many skill areas. He takes pride in what he does and is very eager to share his accomplishments with anyone who will listen. He certainly is one of the most pleasant and caring people you will ever meet.  For many years, Richard lived by himself with drop-in supports from staff. During the past two years though, he has faced challenges that have significantly changed his life. Two different serious medical situations required aggressive treatment and a recent surgical procedure. Not only did he have to deal with his health issues, he also had to adjust to the need for more staffing and a new living situation with housemates. Despite the difficult challenges he faced, Richard continued to remain positive and upbeat about life. He has made the best of his situation and continues to move on with the typical smile and pleasant personality that has made him the person will all know and love.  His approach and attitude towards life now makes another word come to mind in describing Richard Jordan: Exceptional. 

Residential Outstanding Life Skills Achievement Award:  April Twigg

April is an energetic young lady who has been part of Hillcroft Services since February of 2009. As a young soon to be 21-year old, April has faced many changes and challenges over the past two years of her life. Graduation from high school, a new living situation, many new friends and people in her life and working every day at Cannon Industries are just a few of the changes she has faced with positive results.  Through all this, April has also had to manage maintaining positive relationships with her Guardian, sibling and birth mother. Through the assistance of many dedicated staff during all the ups and downs, she has shown tremendous progress and development in this area.  While facing her fears and growing as a young adult, April has set many goals for her life. She has developed many new skills that have enabled her to increase her independence and living skills. In particular, she is focusing on improving her overall health through exercise, activity and nutrition. She has lost over 60 pounds since she first came to Hillcroft. She currently is extremely proud of her participation on the Cheerleading team through Cole Academy, which claimed first place in their first competition this past weekend in Carmel.  April has learned through hard work, commitment and a positive attitude, a bright future shines ahead for her.  

Positive Growth Award:  Pat Nye

Pat deserves this award not only for the positive changes he has made in his behavior but for his continued efforts in assisting those in need, especially his roommates.  Over the past year, Pat has demonstrated consistently the positive changes he has made through his actions at home and in the community.  He has attended several social events in which historically he would prefer to stay at home.  He actively participates in individual and group therapy through Hillcroft as well as attends a weekly exercise class which he enjoys.  Pat is very appreciative towards others and always says thank you.  Pat’s behaviors over the past year have consistently remained low.  He has been observed on numerous occasions assisting his neighbor, who is also a Hillcroft consumer, when he is engaging in behaviors.