Springfield, MA – Helix Human Services hosted their annual meeting and staff awards in June to celebrate another successful fiscal year.
Here We Go Award
Exemplified by someone who consistently presents positively and professionally in every way within their programs, throughout Helix Human Services and in public – appearance, language and tone, responsiveness, calm under pressure, supportive and uplifting of staff, causing openings for leadership and professionalism to arise in others.
Congratulations (left to right): Benjamin Podmore, Elizabeth Childs, Edna Piquette, Lori Warner, Tonia Skovorodina, Elaina Diaz, Anthony Saramago, and Cheryl Maturah.
Years of Service Awards
We celebrate years of service milestones across all programs. This year we acknowledged nine workers hitting important milestones with Helix!
This year we acknowledged 5-year workers: Michelle Tyer and Lori Warner, both from Mill Pond School Berkshires campus.
*Not Pictured: Elizabeth Kulas
We celebrated 5 years with teacher Theresa Michaelian.
We celebrated 5 years with Jennifer Gaynor – a Bilingual Parent Education Resource and Family Support Specialist.
Elizabeth Childs, Cape FSP Program Manager celebrated 10 years with Helix Human Services! As did Kristen Balmer, Family Reunification Programs Manager!
*not pictured are Residential Counselor Kourtney Robinson and Maintenance Director Charlie Gonzalez.
First Mate Award
This staff member carries out duties of the program in line with the managers vision either in the absence of the manager or a job the manager can’t handle for any reason. They are a strategic and innovative thinker. They show leadership in challenging situations by engaging in constructive conflict and problem-solving. They promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Congratulations to Francesca Medina, Admissions Manager for the Family Wellness Center!
Team Player Award
This recognition award is for those employees who are ever so generous and caring towards their team members, whether they’re completing a project, providing some mentorship to new employees, or planning a party for a work anniversary. The staff member who’s the ultimate team player willing to step up and do what it takes to address and or handle an issue or project when asked, which will help our team get to the ultimate goal of becoming a premier treatment facility.
Congratulations to Emily Crafts, Marketing and Development Coordinator.
Extra Mile Award
The Extra Mile Award recipients are considered leaders by their peers. They are thoughtful, decisive, and proactive. They collaborate with peers, providers, and other diverse thought leaders in the agency. They initiate discussions when others are hesitant. They maintain relationships, and they show an ability and drive to pioneer creative, successful solutions.
Congratulations to Erin Devlin, Cape Cod FAMS Program Manager!
Helix Core Values Award
The Helix Core Values Award is given to someone who embraces and exemplifies the core values of Helix Human Services, a staff member who is invested in the agency and their own work here, and who is reliable and trustworthy. Our core values are: compassion, adaptability, integrity, inclusiveness, and hope.
Congratulations to Lawrence Kilpatrick, Behavior Management Assistant at Mill Pond School Springfield campus!
Resilience Award
This year, we proudly mark 160 years of serving children and families with unwavering compassion, deep empathy, and one defining characteristic: resilience.
Through every challenge and change, we have remained committed to showing up for those who need us most. That resilience—has been carried by every staff member, leader, and supporter for generations—is what continues to move our mission forward.
This year, for the first time, we are proud to present the Resilience Award!
Congratulations to Bianca Small, Comprehensive Foster Care Program Manager!
Madison Young Award
This award is given to an employee or team that has served the families and children in our care with endless empathy and compassion.
Congratulations to Angelica Cotto, Bilingual Family Support Specialist!
Julian Darku Award
This award is given to an individual who courageously, deeply, authentically and genuinely engages children in our community.
Congratulations to Victoria Andrade, Clinician at Mill Pond School – Springfield campus!
Helix Shining Star Award
This award is given to a staff who recognizes, and rewards exemplary performance based both on performance of their responsibilities as outlined in their position description and on their specific contributions to the mission, goals, and values of Helix Human Services.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Shepardson, Teacher at Mill Pond School – Berkshire campus!
If you’re interested in joining our awesome team, checkout open positions here: https://helixhumanservices.org/employment/
See more event photos on our social media.