Montgomery County, PA

 

NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Commissioners will present awards to nine residents and agencies from throughout Montgomery County on Tuesday, March 11th.

 

The luncheon will be held at Presidential Caterers, 2910 DeKalb Pike (at the intersection with Germantown Pike), Norristown, Pennsylvania.

 

The theme of the event is Making a Difference: Celebrating Everyday Achievements and the guest speakers will be Audrey Badger and her daughter, Maria Nicole.

 

Below is a listing of the award recipients and a brief description of why there were selected.

 

For further information, contact Geraldine Feeny at (610) 278-3642.

 

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD – ROSE STROUSE, GATEWAY EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, INC. (Rose resides in Plymouth Meeting, PA

 

Most people who work in, or come to visit, the Human Services Center know Ms. Strouse. The Morning Coffee Cart, staffed by individuals receiving service, is a focal point of morning activities.  Many friendships have been formed between customers and the wonderful crew that staffs the coffee cart, under Ms. Strouse’s direction. If you come to the Human Services Center in a bad mood, visiting the coffee cart is a sure remedy. Ms. Strouse has also been instrumental in implementing Gateway’s RISE Program and Garden Enclave.
 
MANAGEMENT STAFF AWARD – JEANNA DILLON – LIFEPATH, INC. (Jeanna resides in Harleysville, Pa.)

 

Ms. Dillon has worked for LifePath for 20 years even as she continues to pursue her
education. She guides her staff through problems that arise, giving them the tools
they need to solve future problems. For the individuals receiving service, Ms. Dillon
has set up participant directed trainings that help them become involved in the joys
and responsibilities of freedom within the community. Families trust that Ms. Dillon
will do what is best for their family member which is a great comfort to someone
watching their son or daughter leave home to live on their own.  

 

SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD – ALTEC’S OLDER ADULT PROGRAM, LOCATED IN HATFIELD, PA.

 

Over the years, ALTEC has demonstrated a strong desire to create services that are customized and tailored for the individual. People come to ALTEC’s Hilltown
Older Adult program to spend time with their friends where they engage in leisure
activities, develop hobbies and enjoy therapeutic activities that promote healthier
 life styles. They come to relax, celebrate, dance, sing, exercise and participate in
their community. The program hosts interns from Thomas Jefferson University’s
Department of Occupational Therapy, and Gwynedd Mercy’s Geriatric Program,
as well as high school students completing their senior projects. Accepting for ALTEC is Barbara Ocasio, the Director.

ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEER AWARD – CAMILLE DESNOYERS
(Camille resides  in Norristown, PA)

 

Through her work with Norristown Education and Advocacy for Children with
Differing Abilities (NEACDA), Ms. Desnoyers has rallied school age children and parents to strive for the best educational experience. She has recognized that active and continual collaboration with teachers and administrators is vital to assuring effective educational options. NEACDA seeks to provide training, resources and networking to students, parents, educators and community stakeholders in order to provide meaningful social and educational opportunities for children with differing abilities. Ms. Desnoyers has given the gift of hope to families and students thereby enriching the lives of many.

 

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – ERIC BARNETT (Eric resides in Blue Bell, Pa.)

 

Mr. Barnett has always had a goal to achieve full time employment. After working
part-time at several jobs, he has, for the past two years, been employed full time at MARC Children’s Service as a data entry specialist. Eric sets goals and then
achieves them through hard work and perseverance. He is a role model for all who
seek achievement and success. His next goal is to get his own apartment.  

 

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Daniel J. Gallagher (Dan resides in
Lansdale, PA)

 

Mr. Gallagher has worked in competitive employment since he was in high school.
He was a varsity letter winner for football at North Penn High School where he
served as team manager. He was on the bowling team for three years where he also
earned a varsity letter. Mr. Gallagher is an Eagle Scout and assistant Scout Leader
in Hatfield, Pa. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Hall of
Fame in 1998 and has been a Special Olympics Global Messenger since then. He is a
past Associate Board Member of the National Down Syndrome Congress.  

 

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD – ORIGINAL LITTLE PEPI’S INC. (Owned by Stan Kouerakos, is located in Hatfield, PA)

 

ALTEC has had the privilege of working with Little Pepi’s for nearly three years.
The owner, Mr. Stan Kourakos, and plant manager, Ms. Theresa Bird, have
recognized the value of not only diversifying their work force, but also the unique
talents brought to them by our consumers. Simply put, they hire our consumers
because they understand that all people have skills that can benefit their business.

 

All the individuals that they hire from ALTEC are treated with the utmost respect
and dignity. Little Pepi’s exemplifies how successful competitive employment can be
when individuals are placed with caring, supportive employers.

 

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD – TERESA MONTANARO – McKinley Elementary School(Teresa resides in Jenkintown, PA)

 

Ms. Montanaro received glowing nominations from both fellow teachers and
parents in the Abington School District. She is an advocate of differentiating
instruction to allow all students to actively participate in their own instruction. Ms.
Montanaro sets the tone throughout the school for the importance of including
special education students. She started a parent’s group for the parents of special
needs students. Ms. Montanaro is a true friend to all children, a knowledgeable
educator and a leader with empathy directing the Abington school community. We
wish her well in her retirement.

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – EARL FINKLE’S STAFF, SALVATION ARMY, BROOKE ROAD

 

This year we received a unique nomination for the Direct Support Professional Award.  A family member of a recently deceased gentleman nominated all of the staff from his home. 

 

Earl Finkle moved from Pennhurst into a community based program with the Salvation Army in 1980.  From the moment he moved into his new home, his family was highly impressed by the quality of care provided by the staff.

 

In the words of Earl’s niece, “My uncle Earl received the highest acclaim any human achieves in this world; he was loved.  I learned to value him for who he was and what a gift he was!  I learned by being told of his special gifts by Jeannine, Larry, Greg, Jarod, Herbie or Janice.” 

 

The people who cared for Earl on a daily basis for over 25 years gave him a home where he was valued for his sense of humor and kindness towards others.  At the time of his passing, Earl was surrounded by people who cared for him, celebrating his life and accomplishments. 

 

Each of the staff at Salvation Army’s Brooke Road home contributed to Earl’s quality of life.  As a group, they operated in a unique harmony that supported Earl throughout his life and provided his family with peace at his passing.  Earl’s family would like to thank all of the staff responsible for his care, including Jeannine Adamsky, Larry Gaskin, Gregory Hill, Jarod Metzger, Madeleine Haines, and Janice Perry.